French intelligence summons journalists for investigating into influence peddling in army

ANKARA

French intelligence summoned three journalists who carried out an investigation into suspicion of influence in the army.

Two journalists working for Radio France, Benoit Collombat and Jacques Monin, and journalist and co-founder of the independent media Disclose, Geoffrey Livolsi, published an investigation in 2018 about influence peddling inside the French army, Disclose said Wednesday.

The journalists are suspected to "have disclosed information revealing the identity of a special unit member."

The General Directorate for Internal Security summoned the journalists - - who will be heard on Dec. 14.

Disclose added that the journalists, if found guilty, may face five years of prison and a fine of €75,000 ($78,710).

According to the article they published in 2018, the national financial prosecutor’s office is investigating suspicions of influence peddling and favoritism in the French army, particularly the air transport subcontracting contracts in Africa.

*Writing by Nur Asena Ertürk