France Denies Asylum to Journalist Who Exposed Russian Propaganda Operations in Africa
Ephrem Yalike faces deportation to the Central African Republic, where both he and his family are at risk of repression
Доступно на русскомFrance has denied asylum to Central African Republic journalist Ephrem Yalike, whose testimony helped expose the workings of the Russian propaganda and disinformation network in Africa. He now faces deportation to his home country, where his former employers — linked to the Wagner PMC — still wield significant influence.
The human rights organization Platform to Protect Whistleblowers in Africa (PPLAAF), which is representing Yalike’s case, called the decision by the French authorities baffling and warned that the journalist and his family face the threat of reprisals.
“The French authorities made a baffling decision leaving Ephrem without protection against threats to him and his family’s safety. We urge them to reconsider this shameful decision and grant him asylum,” said PPLAAF Executive Director Jimmy Kande.
The organization has filed an appeal with France’s National Court of Asylum. Until it is reviewed, the decision on deportation should be suspended.
- From 2019 to 2022, Yalike worked for the Russian entity Africa Politology, established by structures linked to Yevgeny Prigozhin. He wrote materials prepared by Russian handlers in support of the CAR army and Russian mercenaries, refuted publications critical of Russia, and also arranged for these texts to be placed in local media for money. The journalist decided to leave the Wagner PMC structures after his employer took him into the forest and threatened to kill him over suspicions that he was leaking information.
- At 2024, IStories, together with the Forbidden Stories network and other international outlets, published an investigation, based on Yalike’s testimony and documents he provided. It revealed how Russian entities recruited journalists in the CAR, paid them for publishing pro-Russian materials, and created the appearance of broad public support for Russia.
- After the publication of the investigation, the European Union imposed sanctions on Mikhail Prudnikov — one of the key organizers of the Russian propaganda network in the CAR.