A French journalist was detained on Tuesday (September 19) for allegedly accessing state secrets unlawfully in 2021. She was arrested by the DGSI, France's domestic intelligence agency; a move that drew condemnation from journalists and rights groups.

Non-profit newsroom Disclose denounced the move as an "unacceptable attack on the secrecy of sources," which was immediately backed by the Society of Journalists and Reporters Without Borders (RSF). “We fear that the DGSI's actions will undermine the secrecy of the sources," RSF said.

<h2>What triggered the arrest?</h2>

In November 2021, investigative website Disclose released a series of articles based on a trove of confidential documents.&nbsp;

These documents revealed how information gathered from a covert French counter-intelligence operation in Egypt, code-named "Sirli," was used by the Egyptian government to carry out what was described as "a campaign of arbitrary killings" targeting smugglers operating along the Libyan border.

WATCH:&nbsp;French court upholds ban on Muslim abayas in schools, says 'no serious harm'

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According to the initial reports by Disclose, French forces were implicated in at least 19 bombings against smugglers in the region between 2016 and 2018. Despite warnings from officials within the French government, the operation itself remained unchallenged, as per Disclose's findings.

In response to the publication of these articles, France's Ministry of the Armed Forces lodged a complaint citing "violation of national defence secrecy." Subsequently, in July 2022, a case was initiated by the Paris prosecutor's office, which was later transferred to the DGSI.

<h2>Freedom of press under question in France</h2>

Virginie Marquet, a lawyer for Lavrilleux and Disclose, said that the actions against the French journalist undermine the confidentiality of the media sources.

"I am appalled and worried about the escalation in attacks on the freedom to inform, and the coercive measures taken against the Disclose journalist," she said.&nbsp;

"This search risks seriously undermining the confidentiality of journalists' sources," she said, adding that Lavrilleux had "only revealed information in the public interest".

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-flat-out-refuses-to-welcome-migrants-from-lampedusa-637695">Also read:&nbsp;France flat out refuses to `welcome` migrants from Lampedusa</a>

France’s move to arrest the journalist is sure to attract more scrutiny into the declining freedom of press in the country, and prompt questions in French media over the country’s alleged role in and record on human rights in Egypt.

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A French journalist was detained on Tuesday (September 19) for allegedly accessing state secrets unlawfully in 2021. She was arrested by the DGSI, France's domestic intelligence agency; a move that drew condemnation from journalists and rights groups.

A French journalist was detained on Tuesday (September 19) for allegedly accessing state secrets unlawfully in 2021. She was arrested by the DGSI, France's domestic intelligence agency; a move that drew condemnation from journalists and rights groups. Non-profit newsroom Disclose denounced the move as an "unacceptable attack on the secrecy of sources," which was immediately backed by the Society of Journalists and Reporters Without Borders (RSF). “We fear that the DGSI's actions will undermine the secrecy of the sources," RSF said. What triggered the arrest? In November 2021, investigative website Disclose released a series of articles based on a trove of confidential documents. These documents revealed how information gathered from a covert French counter-intelligence operation in Egypt, code-named "Sirli," was used by the Egyptian government to carry out what was described as "a campaign of arbitrary killings" targeting smugglers operating along the Libyan border. WATCH: French court upholds ban on Muslim abayas in schools, says 'no serious harm' × According to the initial reports by Disclose, French forces were implicated in at least 19 bombings against smugglers in the region between 2016 and 2018. Despite warnings from officials within the French government, the operation itself remained unchallenged, as per Disclose's findings. In response to the publication of these articles, France's Ministry of the Armed Forces lodged a complaint citing "violation of national defence secrecy." Subsequently, in July 2022, a case was initiated by the Paris prosecutor's office, which was later transferred to the DGSI. Freedom of press under question in France Virginie Marquet, a lawyer for Lavrilleux and Disclose, said that the actions against the French journalist undermine the confidentiality of the media sources. "I am appalled and worried about the escalation in attacks on the freedom to inform, and the coercive measures taken against the Disclose journalist," she said. "This search risks seriously undermining the confidentiality of journalists' sources," she said, adding that Lavrilleux had "only revealed information in the public interest". Also read: France flat out refuses to `welcome` migrants from Lampedusa France’s move to arrest the journalist is sure to attract more scrutiny into the declining freedom of press in the country, and prompt questions in French media over the country’s alleged role in and record on human rights in Egypt. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

France detains journalist for revealing ‘state secret’, slammed by rights groups

A US journalist has alleged that he was punched, slapped and beaten by Myanmar security forces.

Nathan Maung, 44, is the editor-in-chief of the online news platform Kamayut Media, who was detained during a raid on March 9 and after spending over three months in detention he was deported to the US on June 15.

Maung alleges that he was kept in a blindfold for more than a week of interrogation and that a colleague Hanthar Nyein who is still in detention, along with many other people have been subjected to harsher torture methods.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/myanmars-junta-leader-addresses-security-conference-in-moscow-394180">Myanmar's junta leader addresses security conference in Moscow</a>

Spokesmen of the Junta are yet to comment on Nathan Maung’s account. Muang’s account is similar to many others who have been detained by the Junta since its February 1 coup overthrowing the democratically elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi.

Earlier the junta had said that all of the detainees are being treated as per the law.

Speaking to Reuters, Nathan Maung said that, "The first three&nbsp;to&nbsp;four days were the worst," and that he was “punched and slapped&nbsp;several times”.

“No matter what I said, they just beat me. They used both their hands to slap my eardrums many times. They punched my cheekbones on&nbsp;both&nbsp;sides. They punched my shoulders. I was not allowed to stand up. My legs&nbsp;were swollen.&nbsp;I&nbsp;could not&nbsp;move anymore," he added.

Myanmar born Nathan Maung fled to the United States as a refugee in the 1990s.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/confident-in-its-impunity-the-myanmar-junta-ignores-diplomacy-393894">Confident in its impunity, the Myanmar junta ignores diplomacy</a>

As per his narrative, he was seized at Kamayut&nbsp;Media's office and from there he was taken for questioning about his publication, his role there and how it operates.

"They handcuffed my hands behind my back, tied my eyes with a cloth and covered&nbsp;that with another cloth," he said.

"They did not allow me to sleep for about three or four days.&nbsp;Nonstop interrogation.&nbsp;There was no time to sleep,".

Maung says that on the fourth day, after they discovered he was a US citizen, the beatings diminished, and "On the eighth day, a colonel came, he removed the cloth blindfolding me,".

Some 'experienced worse torture'

"Some people experienced worse torture than us. There was someone together with me in a room for two days. His body was covered in bruises and injuries. They put his handcuffed hands on the table and beat his hand.

"The bones were not broken, but he was badly injured and his skin was ripped off."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/myanmars-suu-kyi-back-in-junta-court-on-sedition-charges-393182">Myanmar's Suu Kyi back in junta court on sedition charges</a>

Narrating this harrowing tale, Nathan Maung says that during his detention, he had met other people who had been mistreated much worse than him. He would hear people shouting, begging and screaming from other buildings.

The US embassy said that after his release Nathan Maung was met by US officials who assisted him and his family.

US remains concerned over the detention of another journalist, Danny Fenster, who has been in detention for more than a month and was only just allowed to speak to the US embassy last week for the first time.

According to the activist group, Assistance Association for Political Prisoners since the February 1 coup, nearly 5,200 people remain incarcerated. It also says that since the beginning of the coup, at least 881 people have been killed by the security forces. The junta disputes the figure.

(With inputs from agencies)

A US journalist has alleged that he was punched, slapped and beaten by Myanmar security forces. Nathan Maung, 44, is the editor-in-chief of the online news platform Kamayut Media, who was detained during a raid on March 9 and after spending over three months in detention he was deported to the US on June 15.

A US journalist has alleged that he was punched, slapped and beaten by Myanmar security forces. Nathan Maung, 44, is the editor-in-chief of the online news platform Kamayut Media, who was detained during a raid on March 9 and after spending over three months in detention he was deported to the US on June 15. Maung alleges that he was kept in a blindfold for more than a week of interrogation and that a colleague Hanthar Nyein who is still in detention, along with many other people have been subjected to harsher torture methods. Also read | Myanmar's junta leader addresses security conference in Moscow Spokesmen of the Junta are yet to comment on Nathan Maung’s account. Muang’s account is similar to many others who have been detained by the Junta since its February 1 coup overthrowing the democratically elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi. Earlier the junta had said that all of the detainees are being treated as per the law. Speaking to Reuters, Nathan Maung said that, "The first three to four days were the worst," and that he was “punched and slapped several times”. “No matter what I said, they just beat me. They used both their hands to slap my eardrums many times. They punched my cheekbones on both sides. They punched my shoulders. I was not allowed to stand up. My legs were swollen. I could not move anymore," he added. Myanmar born Nathan Maung fled to the United States as a refugee in the 1990s. Also read | Confident in its impunity, the Myanmar junta ignores diplomacy As per his narrative, he was seized at Kamayut Media's office and from there he was taken for questioning about his publication, his role there and how it operates. "They handcuffed my hands behind my back, tied my eyes with a cloth and covered that with another cloth," he said. "They did not allow me to sleep for about three or four days. Nonstop interrogation. There was no time to sleep,". Maung says that on the fourth day, after they discovered he was a US citizen, the beatings diminished, and "On the eighth day, a colonel came, he removed the cloth blindfolding me,". Some 'experienced worse torture' "Some people experienced worse torture than us. There was someone together with me in a room for two days. His body was covered in bruises and injuries. They put his handcuffed hands on the table and beat his hand. "The bones were not broken, but he was badly injured and his skin was ripped off." Also read | Myanmar's Suu Kyi back in junta court on sedition charges Narrating this harrowing tale, Nathan Maung says that during his detention, he had met other people who had been mistreated much worse than him. He would hear people shouting, begging and screaming from other buildings. The US embassy said that after his release Nathan Maung was met by US officials who assisted him and his family. US remains concerned over the detention of another journalist, Danny Fenster, who has been in detention for more than a month and was only just allowed to speak to the US embassy last week for the first time. According to the activist group, Assistance Association for Political Prisoners since the February 1 coup, nearly 5,200 people remain incarcerated. It also says that since the beginning of the coup, at least 881 people have been killed by the security forces. The junta disputes the figure. (With inputs from agencies)

Freed US editor tells horror stories of torture in Myanmar

34 year old Chen Qiushi previously gained traction on Chinese social media platforms like Weibo for reporting on peaceful protests in Hong Kong, but his Chinese social media accounts were deactivated after he was questioned by the Chinese government.

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