Ariane Lavrilleux does not give up and is already back on the field. The investigative journalist placed in police custody on September 19 and 20 after being picked up while getting out of bed by DGSI agents following his revelations in Disclose of the role that France would have played in Egypt’s execution of Marshal Al-Sissi of civilians, denounces “the multiplication of attacks against French journalists”. In response, rallies for press freedom and the defense of the secrecy of sources are organized this Tuesday in Marseille, Lyon and Strasbourg. Demonstrations which coincide with the vote planned, also this Tuesday, in the European Parliament for the “Media freedom act”, which notably plans to authorize digital spying on journalists, and the launch of the “General States of Information” by Emmanuel Macron.
Several rallies are planned for this Tuesday in defense of press freedom following your arrest. This story is now beyond your case?
Yes, the subject goes well beyond my case, my arrest, my search. This was just the opportunity. Because in the week that followed, three other journalists were summoned by the PJ and a photojournalist, Yoan Jäger, was placed under surveillance after his custody as part of the investigation into the action of the Earth Uprisings against the Lafarge factory in Bouc-Bel-Air.
So, in fact, we are seeing an increase in attacks against journalists. And at the same time, a dramatic event is being prepared which is the vote in the European Parliament this Tuesday on the “Media freedom act”, a text which will authorize spying on journalistss. And France pushed to allow this. This is extremely serious. The third thing is the opening, again this Tuesday, of the “General States of Information”. So these gatherings are another opportunity to remember and put the protection of sources on the agenda.
Do you fear for your sources following the search of your home?
(silence) Our goal at Disclose is the protection of sources. And currently, we are potentially under surveillance…
Were you surprised by your arrest?
We knew that we were going to be interviewed by the DGSI because this had already happened to four of our colleagues as part of an investigation into the sale of arms by France. However, we did not expect the search and police custody. A milestone has been reached, and it might be time to wake up.
Can you return to your custody?
As soon as the search was carried out, they told me that I was going to be in police custody for forty-eight hours. I suffered a series of psychological violence there which aimed to deliberately weaken me. They told me not to bring a sweater, but it was extremely cold in the cell. Also, I was sick and wanted to take my medicine but they told me it wasn’t necessary. There was a clear desire to weaken me as much as possible in view of the auditions. But I kept silent.
Have you been informed of your indictment? Where is the procedure?
This is not the end of the story at all. I am not under investigation so I do not have access to the file and I do not know what is in it, nor what precisely they were looking for. Will they use the seized documents for additional investigations? My feeling is that this is only the beginning…