A book just published in France details the tragic story of how hundreds of interpreters employed by the French army during its operations in Afghanistan were refused safe sanctuary after it pulled out of the country, abandoning them and their families to threats of retaliation by the Taliban and other groups. While France is not the only country previously engaged in Afghanistan to have subsequently betrayed its interpreters – called tarjuman in the Dari language – the investigation by journalists Brice Andlauer and Quentin Müllern offers a rare insight into the hypocrisy and cynicism of governments, far removed and insensitive to those involved in waging their war on the ground. Mediapart publishes here a telling extract from their book Tarjuman, une trahison française (‘Tarjuman, a French betrayal’).
The French government is aiming to place one of its nationals as EU Commission president after incumbent Jean-Claude Junker leaves the post this year, in preference to competing for the presidency of the European Central Bank, also due for a new head, according to informed sources cited by news agency Reuters.
Hundreds of fairground workers in Le Mans in north-west France, , some carrying baseball bats and shields, mounted a violent attack on the mayor's offices on Monday after he banned their business from operating in the town centre.
All his blog posts
The Mediapart Club
Join the discussion
Mediapart’s journalists also use their blogs, and participate in their own name to this space of debates, by confiding behind the scenes of investigations or reports, doubts or personal reactions to the news.
Le journaliste Raphaël Boukandoura a été arrêté par la police turque lundi alors qu’il couvrait une manifestation à Istanbul. Mediapart, comme l’ensemble des médias pour lesquels il travaille, demande sa libération immédiate.
Le tribunal de Paris a relaxé Mediapart du procès en diffamation que lui avait intenté l’ancien élu Renaissance Emmanuel Pellerin. Il a même condamné l’ex-député, avocat de profession, au paiement de dommages et intérêts.
« Une heure à tuer », le spectacle de Waly Dia, est désormais accessible en VOD sur Mediapart. Ce contenu d’humour politique est complémentaire des informations que vous trouvez dans le journal.
Mediapart a désormais sa chaîne sur WhatsApp. Nous y publions quotidiennement une sélection d’articles et billets à ne pas manquer. Explications et invitation à nous y rejoindre, si vous êtes adepte de la messagerie.
Le journaliste français est mort vendredi 3 octobre en Ukraine, victime d’un tir de drone. Il couvrait cette guerre depuis le début de l’invasion russe et avait collaboré avec Mediapart à de nombreuses reprises.
