French journalist Ariane Lavrilleux was arrested on Tuesday by French police in connection with a 2021 revelation. The revelation was published on the investigative site Disclose and was based on secret documents showing that French intelligence had been involved in executions of civilians at the Egyptian-Libyan border between 2016 and 2018.
Lavrilleux is suspected of revealing defense secrets and the journalist's home was searched after his arrest. She was reportedly interrogated by the DGSI, France's intelligence service, according to AFP.
After being detained for over a day, Ariane Lavrilleux wrote on X that she had been released.
Attack on press freedom
Disclose described the arrest as an "unacceptable attack" on press freedom. Reporters Without Borders and the Société des Journalistes of France Télévisions, a French journalists' association, also condemned the arrest of the journalist.
Virginie Marquet, a lawyer for Lavrilleux and Disclosed, also condemned the arrest, according to The Guardian.
"I am appalled and concerned by the escalation of attacks on freedom of information and the coercive measures taken against the journalist. This risks seriously undermining the confidentiality of journalists' sources," Marquet said.