Chadian journalists face serious charges over alleged ties to Russia’s Wagner Group

Three Chadian journalists remain in pre-trial custody after being arrested earlier this month on charges of colluding with Russia’s Wagner paramilitary group, prompting warning about the government’s “broader crackdown” on critical voices in the landlocked Sahel country.
The journalists, including Radio France Internationale’s Chad correspondent Olivier Monodji, are accused of espionage, conspiracy, and undermining Chad’s institutions. They allegedly provided sensitive information that could harm the country’s security and economic interests, particularly related to its growing ties with Russia. The charges also extend to an estate agent who is accused of assisting in finding premises for a Russian cultural center in the capital, N’Djamena. These arrests come amid a broader crackdown on media freedom in Chad, with rights groups and local press organizations condemning the actions.
Media watchdog Reporters Without Borders expressed concern, noting that such serious charges against journalists are unprecedented in Chad and signal a troubling shift toward silencing critical voices. The arrests are seen as part of a larger pattern of repression under Chad’s leader, Mahamat Idriss Deby, who has increasingly aligned the country with Russia, distancing it from former colonial power France. The charges against the journalists follow the September 2023 inauguration of the Russian House in N’Djamena, which was linked to Wagner, and come amidst growing scrutiny of Chad’s relationship with Moscow. Legal representatives for the detained journalists argue that there is no evidence to support the accusations, and they demand a fair judicial process.