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Four journalists beaten and detained in Cameroon while investigating U.S. deportations

Feb 20, 2026·Location: Yaoundé, CM

Country of origin: Cameroon

Four journalists beaten and detained in Cameroon while investigating U.S. deportations
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Four journalists and an attorney were detained by plainclothes police in Yaounde, Cameroon on February 19, 2026, while investigating Trump administration deportations of third-country immigrants to the African nation. The journalists were beaten during the detention, and their equipment was confiscated. They were attempting to interview recently deported individuals and film a facility holding deportees. All five people were later released. Press freedom groups raised alarm over the incident, which occurred as some deported immigrants were sent to Cameroon in violation of court orders protecting them from deportation to their home countries.

Timeline

Feb 20, 2026—All five detainees released; press freedom groups raise alarm
Feb 19, 2026—Four journalists and an attorney beaten and detained by plainclothes police in Yaounde while investigating U.S. deportations; their equipment confiscated
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