French Reporter Arrested In Ivory Coast

Jean-Paul Ney, author of several books on terrorism and national intelligence services, was arrested on Dec. 27.

A French journalist has been arrested in Ivory Coast and is being questioned about a possible breach of national security, sources said on Friday.

Jean-Paul Ney, author of several books on terrorism and national intelligence services, was arrested on Dec. 27 outside the West African country's state broadcaster and was handed over to intelligence services for questioning, security and diplomatic sources said.

"He's being questioned at the territorial surveillance service (DST). He's accused of breaching state security," a DST agent told Reuters, without giving further details.

An official at the French embassy, who asked not to be identified, told Reuters that Ney had not yet been charged with any crime.

"We're following the situation hour by hour. We are not assisting for the moment as he has not been charged," he said.

Ivorian authorities said Ney had been carrying photographic equipment when arrested and presented himself as a journalist and photographer, the diplomatic source said.

On his website (www.jpney.com), Ney describes himself as a reporter and researcher into international security and the vice-president of a commission of journalists covering defence issues and wars.

He says he has also worked as a reporter for major French media including Paris Match, France Soir and 24-hour news channel I-tele.

Diplomatic relations have been uneasy between France and Ivory Coast following a brief 2002-2003 civil war in which Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo said French forces' presence favoured northern rebels. France still has some 3,000 troops garrisoned in its former colony.