French journalist Ariane Lavrilleux was denied access to medicine and water while held in police custody on Sept. 19 and questioned about her 2021 report on French army operations in Egypt, as reported by Reporters Without Borders (RSF).
Lavrilleux stated in a video that French agents from the General Directorate for Internal Security (DGSI), accompanied by investigating judges in charge of terror affairs, raided her house at 6 a.m. and conducted a full search of the property. They also inspected and extracted data from her laptop and other devices, and asked questions about her 2021 investigation for news outlet “Disclose,” based on leaked classified documents.
According to several hundred “confidential defense” papers, the French state was participating in a campaign of arbitrary executions by Egypt in November 2021. France claims that leaking such information could compromise national defense secrets and lead to the identification of agents.
While in custody, Lavrilleux said that she endured a long and difficult night as she was ill but policemen denied her access to medicine and water because she did not have a prescription. The journalist said that her sickness was compounded by fatigue and insomnia during the 39-hour-long interrogation.
Lavrilleux also disclosed that police officers used threatening tones and manipulative tactics such as asking her if the right to obtain information is more important than national defense.
The journalist emphasized that her arrest was not only meant to intimidate her but also to send a message to all journalists aiming to perform their work to the fullest. She also expressed concern about potential charges that might be brought against her in the coming days.
According to Amnesty International, Journalist Lavrilleux authored an article revealing that Egypt used French intelligence to target smugglers on the Libyan border and kill civilians. “At least 19 bombings targeting civilians occurred between 2016 and 2018 as a result of information provided by France to Cairo.”