Journalist's detention, search, sparks French outcry

The detention of a journalist from France's left-wing Liberation newspaper has drawn sharp criticism from politicians and rights groups, following his strip-search during an investigation into a defamation enquiry.

Journalist Vittorio De Filippis was taken in for questioning by police who asked him to leave his home in the early hours of Friday, in front of his 14-year-old son, Liberation said in its weekend edition.

He was then kept in a police cell and forced to take off his clothes as police searched him, the paper said.

Liberation said the journalist was detained upon the request of a Paris court after Xavier Niel, head of Internet provider Free, lodged a defamation complaint against the newspaper.

The complaint was linked to comments published by Liberation when Mr De Filippis was its publication director, the newspaper said.

Politicians criticised the journalist's detention and treatment, with newly elected leader of the opposition Socialist Party Martine Aubry calling on President Nicolas Sarkozy to ensure the affair was investigated as soon as possible.

In a statement, Aubry denounced what she called the "inacceptable judicial methods" employed against Mr De Filippis.