Chad Arrests Journalists Over Alleged Collaboration with Wagner Group

Three journalists in Chad have been jailed on allegations of colluding with the Wagner military group, charged with espionage and conspiracy. Their detainment reflects a wider government crackdown on dissent under military leader Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, who is strengthening ties with Russia amidst concerns over media repression in Chad.

In Chad, three journalists have been detained pending trial over allegations of collaboration with the Wagner private military company. Public Prosecutor Omar Mahamat Kedelaye indicated that they are suspected of providing information related to Chad’s security and economy that could potentially harm the nation’s military and diplomatic standing.

The detained journalists include Olivier Mbaindinguim Monodji, the director of the weekly publication Le Pays, Ndilyam Guekidata, an editor at the same outlet, and Mahamat Saleh Alhissein, a journalist with Tele Tchad. They face charges of espionage, conspiracy, and attacks against state institutions as stated by their lawyer Allahtaroum Amos.

The prosecutor cited evidence suggesting that these journalists may have engaged in actions that undermine the state. Reports indicated that Tele Tchad’s journalist allegedly translated Russian documents regarding Wagner’s operations and economic insights on the Sahel region. Additionally, Monodji’s arrest is linked to his article on the inauguration of the Russian House cultural center in Chad’s capital.

These arrests occur within a broader context of increased repression against journalists and political dissent under Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno’s military regime. Rights organizations have criticized the government’s rising trend towards unlawful detentions and suppressive measures against free press.

Deby’s administration has shifted Chad’s foreign relations, diminishing ties with France and fostering closer affiliations with Russia, notably involving the Wagner Group. Previously, in September, three Russians connected to Wagner’s late leader Yevgeny Prigozhin were detained in Chad without explanation, highlighting the growing international intrigue surrounding Chad’s political dynamics.

The detention of the three journalists in Chad underscores a worrying trend of governmental repression against media personnel and political dissenters under the current military-led administration. The charges filed against the journalists signal a concerning commitment to stifle independent reporting and expression, particularly regarding foreign influences in the region. As Chad navigates its relationship with Russia and the Wagner Group, the situation raises significant concerns about the future of free press and human rights in the country.

Original Source: www.themoscowtimes.com