20100813
africanews

A French soldier has been condemned by France top officials for berating a local Togolese journalist. Lt Col Romuald Letondot was filmed ordering photographer Didier Ledoux to delete images from his camera during a protest in Togo's capital Lome.

According to the video released on YouTube, when the journalist refused, Col Letondot threatened to smash his camera and have him arrested.

French defence officials said they wanted an investigation and said the soldier may face punishment.

"This vocabulary and attitude is not compatible with what we expect from our personnel," said French defence ministry spokesman Laurent Teisseire. "This does not correspond in any way with our values nor our idea of media relations and press freedom."

The foreign ministry said it "firmly condemned" the soldier's actions.

The footage shows Col Letondot involved in an argument with local photographer Didier Ledoux.

"Do you want someone to strike your camera, or what?" the soldier said, using the patronizing "tu" form of address. "I don't give a damn if you're press, erase the photo please, otherwise I'll take the camera myself."

Ledoux responded: "Colonel, it's like me asking you to hand over your weapon. I'm doing my job."

The soldier then turned to local riot police and tells them to arrest the reporter. Col Letondot later apologized to Ledoux and told French TV that he had been worried that the photographs could have been misinterpreted.

He said he had been forced to stop his car and talk to local police after opposition demonstrators had hit his vehicle with stones.

"I showed the evidence to a Togolese gendarme, when I realized I'd been photographed and that this photograph could be misinterpreted, I got angry, my intention being to prevent a photo being taken without permission.”