A court in Chad has rejected a request for the provisional release of Olivier Monodji, a journalist working for France’s international radio broadcaster RFI, who was arrested over a month ago on allegations of colluding with Russia, his lawyer said on Wednesday.
Monodji was detained on 5 March alongside two other journalists and has been charged with disseminating sensitive information relating to Chad’s security and economy, and allegedly collaborating with Russia’s Wagner paramilitary group.
His lawyer, Allahtaroum Amos, confirmed that the judge refused the petition for release, but noted that Monodji has three days to file an appeal.
Prosecutors accuse the trio of providing intelligence to a foreign enemy, conspiring against state institutions, and attempting to undermine the country’s constitutional order and territorial integrity. If convicted, they could face prison terms of between 20 and 30 years.
The two other journalists arrested remain in pretrial detention. Another journalist, Ahmat Ali Adji, has also been questioned by a judge regarding potential links to Russia but has not been formally charged.
The Chadian Press Association has voiced strong objections to the detentions, expressing “indignation” and “deep concern” over the continued targeting of journalists.
Sadibou Marong, regional director of Reporters Without Borders, urged Chadian authorities to end the crackdown on press freedom in the country, which lies in Africa’s restive Sahel region.
Chad’s relations with its former colonial ruler France have deteriorated in recent years, culminating in the expulsion of French troops in January.
At the same time, the Chadian government has been strengthening ties with nations such as Russia, Hungary, and the United Arab Emirates. In September last year, three Russian nationals — one with known links to the late Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin — were detained upon arrival for the opening of a Russian cultural centre in N’Djamena. They were barred from leaving for several weeks, though neither Chadian nor Russian authorities have publicly disclosed the reasons behind their detention.
