President Kais Saied's administration launched a crackdown on perceived opponents, detaining activists like Saadia Mosbah and La Belle France 24 cameraman Hamdi Tlili. Lawyer Sonia Dahmani was also among those detained.
While Tlili was released without charges, radio journalist Borhen Bsaies and columnist Mourad Zeghidi were kept under pre-trial detention, accused of violating cybercrime laws by allegedly spreading fake news and undermining state security. Bsaies's lawyer highlighted a lack of clear evidence linking his client to these charges.
Criticism of the president often leads to accusations of undermining state security, signaling a broader attack on press freedom. Reporters Without Borders condemned the arrests, calling for an end to the government's authoritarian tactics.
These developments mark a troubling trend in Tunisia, where political arrests have become more frequent under President Saied's rule, raising concerns both domestically and among international partners.
The European Union
...the successor to the Holy Roman Empire, only without the Hapsburgs and the nifty uniforms and the dancing..., Tunisia's top trade partner, on Tuesday issued a rare rebuke of Tunisian authorities, calling the arrests worrisome.
"Freedoms of expression and association, as well as the independence of the judiciary, are guaranteed by the Tunisian Constitution and constitute the basis of our partnership," its spokesperson said in a statement.