The 29-year-old Clément left Belgium on 16 February for a photo report in Myanmar. Via stopovers in Istanbul, Mumbai and Calcutta, he reached Mizoram, a state of India. From the capital Aizawl, he crossed the Myanmar border by bus for his reportage. Clément spent two weeks in rebel-held territory in the Chin State.
On his return, the photographer had his hand luggage checked at Lengpui Airport in Aizawl on 5 March. In it was an empty bullet casing, meant as a keepsake. For Indian authorities, it prompted an arrest for possession of alleged ammunition.
During the Indian authorities’ investigation, it emerged that Clément did not have valid visas. He had entered India on a tourist visa, but according to the police, it should have been a journalist visa. The photographer was questioned for days by police and members of the secret service.
