On December 8, 2023, the Sierra Leone security services arrested three journalists: two French citizens, Remi Carton and Paul Boyer, working with French broadcaster TV5Monde, and Sierra Leonean national Saidu Bah Awuko. The trio was arrested for allegedly taking photographs of security forces without permission. They were questioned at the Cyber Unit of the Criminal Investigations Department of the Sierra Leone Police. Their equipment – camera, SD Card, and smartphone – were confiscated before they were released the following day. The incident occurred when former President Bai Koroma was reporting to the police to assist with the investigation into the failed coup d’etat of November 26. The confiscated work equipment of the journalist, except the SD Card, was later returned. The journalists were not charged.