French freelancer released after being held for five days in Yemen

Reporters Without Borders hailed the release today of French freelance TV reporter Daniel Grandclément-Chaffy, who was held for five days by the Yemeni immigration authorities for “entering the country illegally.” He was handed over to the French embassy in Sanaa on being freed. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16.10.2006 French TV journalist held in Yemen after arriving on refugee boat Reporters Without Borders voiced surprise today that the Yemeni authorities have been holding French freelance TV producer and filmmaker Daniel Grandclément-Chaffy since 12 October on a charge of entering the country illegally, although he has a visa. Grandclément-Chaffy, who was preparing a report on Somali refugees, was arrested in the southeastern province of Shabwah on his arrival in boat that had brought a group of clandestine immigrants across the Gulf of Aden. “We are amazed by his arrest and prolonged detention,” Reporters Without Borders said. “He is not a would-be immigrant and was aboard a boat carrying refugees purely in his professional capacity as a journalist. Furthermore, as the holder of a visa issued by the Yemeni authorities, he cannot be accused of entering the country illegally.” The press freedom organisation added: “We call on the government to release him unconditionally at once, as he has already spent four days in detention although he committed no crime.” Officials at the French embassy in Sanaa, where Grandclément-Chaffy was transferred yesterday, told Reporters Without Borders they were able to visit him today. They said the embassy was doing everything possible to ensure that he would be able to return home as soon as possible. Grandclément-Chaffy has filmed reports that were shown on “Thalassa,” a programme on the French public TV channel France 3.