Journalist arrested in France while covering protest against arms sales to Israel

By Esra Taskin

PARIS (AA) - A journalist was arrested in France while covering a protest against French arms sales to Israel on Tuesday.

According to French Blast media, one of its reporters was detained in front of the French Exxelia company while covering the demonstration against arms sales to Tel Aviv.

In 2016, a family from Gaza filed a lawsuit against Exxelia, claiming that components produced by the company were used in missiles launched by Israel, accusing Exxelia of complicity in manslaughter and war crimes.

​​​The journalist's detention period was extended after refusing to give the phone password to the police to protect news sources, it said.

French Blast described the journalist's detention as a "serious and unjust attack on freedom of information," demanding the immediate release of the journalist.

It said many demonstrators were also detained and the Paris Prosecutor's Office launched an investigation into the protest.

Meanwhile, Reporters Without Borders expressed concern that the confidentiality of the journalist's news sources could be compromised, calling for the journalist's release.