France: no charges laid against journalist Ariane Lavrilleux
The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) welcomes the decision of the French judiciary not to prosecute journalist Ariane Lavrilleux, following the complaint by the French Ministry of Defence for disclosure of a defence secret. The EFJ calls on the French authorities to strengthen legislation on the protection of journalistic sources.
“Thank you all for once again putting the need to protect journalistic sources on the agenda. Your mobilisation has enabled me to avoid prosecution. Now we need to reform the law,” wrote journalist Ariane Lavrilleux on Bluesky after three hours of questioning by an anti-terrorist investigating judge at the Paris court on Friday.
Ariane Lavrilleux was granted “assisted witness” status by the court yesterday as part of the proceedings for breach of military secrecy following her investigation into French military operations in Egypt, published in Disclose and Complément d’enquête (France 2). This status means that, at this stage, she is not subject to criminal prosecution. The decision underlined the public interest of her revelations.
Ariane Lavrilleux thus escapes criminal prosecution and a penalty of up to five years’ imprisonment and a €75,000 fine. “It’s a great relief, but it’s not the end of the battle,” she said outside the Paris court, stressing the need to amend the law on defence secrecy, which currently allows journalists to be prosecuted.
On Friday, EFJ President Maja Sever joined her colleagues from the French journalists’ unions outside the Paris court to express the organisation’s support for Ariane Lavrilleux. She insisted that her work in uncovering the truth about a secret French military operation in Egypt must not be criminalised.
“The role of journalists in a democratic society is to hold those in power to account and to inform the public about issues of crucial importance. Intimidation of journalists jeopardises their safety and their right to work freely, as well as everyone’s right to information and truth. Press freedom is not a privilege; it is the foundation of democracy. Let’s all support those who are fighting for it, and today that is Ariane Lavrilleux,” declared Maja Sever.
Following her journalistic investigation into the involvement of French intelligence services in the arbitrary execution of Egyptian civilians by the Al-Sisi regime, Ariane Lavrilleux was questioned by the courts in October 2023. Her home was searched to trace the journalist’s sources, and she was the subject of intensive surveillance by the Directorate General of Internal Security (DGSI).
Outside the Paris court on Friday, representatives of French journalists’ unions and associations, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), represented by its president Dominique Pradalié, and several members of parliament, including Aurélien Saintoul, France Insoumise MP and secretary of the Parliamentary Committee on National Defence and the Armed Forces, gathered in support of Ariane Lavrilleux.
Many stressed the need to amend French legislation to bring it into line with European legal standards. Under the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA), which must be fully implemented at national level by 8 August, it will be forbidden to force journalists and editors to reveal their sources, except with the approval of a judge and for “compelling reasons of public interest”.
Mathias Destal, editor-in-chief of Disclose, pointed out that the EMFA represents progress, as it prohibits forcing journalists to reveal their sources, except in specific circumstances approved by the judicial authorities. It also prohibits spyware against journalists and their families, which must be implemented in French legislation.
The EFJ and its affiliates in France, SNJ, SNJ-CGT, CFDT-Journalistes and FASAP-FO will continue to closely monitor Ariane Lavrilleux’s case and the necessary reform of French legislation to bring it into line with new European legal standards.
