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🇵🇾 Paraguay /Crime & Justice

International journalists’ unions demand release of Tunisian journalist Yousfi

From ABC Color · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

Newswire From a news agency In the courts
  • International journalists’ organisations demanded the immediate release of independent Tunisian journalist Mohamed Yousfi after authorities detained him on an alleged illicit-enrichment charge.
  • The groups said his detention followed a defamation campaign linked to his investigations into Tunisia’s water crisis and warned it threatened press freedom.
  • Yousfi was detained at Express FM before taking part in a programme about the water crisis, while supporters rallied in solidarity.

International journalists’ unions are demanding the immediate release of Tunisian journalist Mohamed Yousfi, who authorities detained on suspicion of “illicit enrichment.” Yousfi was intercepted on Friday at the Express FM radio station, where he regularly collaborates, as he prepared to join a programme about Tunisia’s water crisis.

Deep solidarity

· Federation of Journalists of Latin America and the CaribbeanThe organisation expressed support for Mohamed Yousfi after his detention.

The Federation of Journalists of Latin America and the Caribbean expressed “deep solidarity” with Yousfi and described his detention as arbitrary. It called the case a serious attack on freedom of expression and the free practice of journalism, warning that criminalising independent reporting threatens both journalists and the public’s right to information.

A group of French journalists’ unions said the detention followed a “defamation campaign” against Yousfi in response to his investigations into the water crisis. The Federation of Press Associations of Spain also voiced “deep solidarity” with Tunisian journalists currently deprived of their freedom and described press freedom as a fundamental public good.

The criminalisation of independent journalism constitutes a threat not only to those who practise the profession, but also to society’s right to be informed.

· Federation of Journalists of Latin America and the CaribbeanThe federation warned about the wider implications of Yousfi’s detention.

Reporters Without Borders urged the authorities to guarantee Yousfi’s right to a fair trial and preserve conditions for journalists to work freely and without pressure. A solidarity gathering took place on Tuesday after a news conference, with demonstrators chanting, “The press is not a crime” and “Freedom for Mohamed Yousfi.”

The press is not a crime.

· Protesters at a solidarity gatheringSupporters chanted the slogan during a demonstration for Yousfi.

International organisations have reported intensified repression of the press, dissent and critical voices since President Kais Saied assumed full powers in 2021 and reformed Tunisia’s political system and constitution.

Freedom for Mohamed Yousfi.

· Protesters at a solidarity gatheringSupporters called for the journalist’s release.
About this summary

Originally published by ABC Color in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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