French Journalist Ariane Lavrilleux Avoids Prosecution in Secret-Defense Case

Lavrilleux, investigated for reporting on French-Egyptian military operations, is placed under witness-assisted status, highlighting calls for press freedom reforms.

• Ariane Lavrilleux, a journalist for Disclose, was placed under witness-assisted status after being investigated for her reporting on the misuse of a French intelligence operation by Egypt to target opposition figures.
• The investigation stemmed from Lavrilleux's 2019 reporting on Operation Sirli and French arms sales, which were classified as secret-defense by the French government.
• Her interrogation followed months of legal scrutiny, including a September 2023 house search and surveillance by French intelligence services, which sparked criticism from press freedom advocates.
• Dozens of journalist organizations and unions have criticized the French 'Dati Law,' which allows exceptions to source protection under secret-defense claims, calling for urgent reforms to align with new European media freedom regulations.
• Lavrilleux and her supporters see her case as emblematic of broader press freedom challenges, with 27 journalists reportedly intimidated by French intelligence since 2010.

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