Noel Kokou Tadégnon was attacked by security forces while filming a crackdown on demonstrators during the country's independence day celebration.
UPDATE: Togo must investigate, discipline security officers, says CPJ (CPJ, 14 May 2012)
(MFWA/IFEX) – Noel Kokou Tadégnon, a Reuters TV correspondent, was 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 firing tear gas at the demonstrators, is reported to have received heavy blows to his head. Due to the presence of swelling, he has yet to undergo medical scans to determine whether he suffered any serious injuries head injuries.
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 heavily beat 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 brutally repressed by the security forces.
MORE INFORMATION:
IFJ condemns police attack against journalist (IFJ, 2 May 2012)
Police assault journalists, confiscate equipment (CPJ, 30 April 2012)
