BAGHDAD (AP) – An Iraqi official says security forces arrested a French journalist several days ago while he was taking photos in a restricted area.

Interior Ministry spokesman Brig. Gen. Saad Maan Ibrahim says Nadir Dendoune was arrested while taking pictures of a security location in Baghdad’s southern Dora neighborhood.

Ibrahim said Thursday that the detained journalist is in good health and that the matter is still under investigation.

A police official says that the journalist lacked the necessary government permits for taking photographs.

The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists urged the Iraqi authorities to release Dendoune immediately. The group has said ambiguities in Iraq’s 2011 media law have created unnecessary barriers regarding access to information.

Iraq’s journalists’ association also called for Dendoune’s immediate release.