Noel Kokou Tadégnon, correspondent of the French Network, Reuters TV, was on April 27, 2012 manhandled by security forces while filming a demonstration by a coalition of political and civil society activists during the country’s 52nd independence anniversary celebrations.
Tadégnon, who was filming the security forces who were firing tear gas at the demonstrators, is reported to have received heavy blows on his head and is currently nursing a swollen head, but he is yet to undergo scanning to determine whether he suffered any serious injuries to his head or not.
The Media Foundation for West Africa’s (MFWA) correspondent reported that the journalist, while filming the security forces’ assault on some of the demonstrators, was suddenly approached by the security officials who demanded to know why he was filming them. They pounced on him, seized his camera and rained heavy blows on him.
In a similar manner, Didier Alli, a cameraman from the privately owned Togolese Television station, TV7, also had his camera seized by the officials.
The demonstration, which was considered “a symbolic ceremony of profession of faith”, was organised by “Sauvons le Togo” (Lets save Togo), a coalition of opposition political parties and civil society groups, at the independence square, was rudely marred by the security forces.
For more information please contact:
Kwame Karikari (Prof)
Executive Director
MFWA
Accra
Tel: 233-30-22 4 24 70
Fax: 233-302-22 10 84
Email: [email protected], [email protected]
Website: www.mediafound.org