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🇵🇾 Paraguay /Crime & Justice

International organizations demand release of Tunisian journalist Mohamed Yousfi

From ABC Color · () Spanish

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

At a glance

Newswire Named sources Under investigation
  • Reporters Without Borders and the International Federation of Journalists called for the immediate release of Mohamed Yousfi, who authorities detained over an alleged illicit-enrichment case.
  • Tunisia’s journalists’ union said the arrest stemmed from Yousfi’s independent reporting and criticism of the authorities, while his defense denied the financial allegations.
  • Yousfi remains in preventive detention as the investigation continues, prompting warnings about pressure on the Tunisian press.

Reporters Without Borders and the International Federation of Journalists are demanding the immediate release of Tunisian journalist Mohamed Yousfi, who authorities say was detained over alleged illicit enrichment.

Yousfi was arrested at the Express FM radio station, where he regularly contributes, as he prepared to appear on a program about Tunisia’s water crisis. He was taken to the National Guard’s investigation department for complex financial crimes and questioned over the allegation. His defense rejected the accusation, saying he owns only an apartment in a modest neighborhood and a car bought with a bank loan.

guarantee full respect for Yousfi’s right to a fair trial and maintain conditions conducive to the free practice of journalism without pressure.

· Reporters Without BordersThe organization’s demand after Yousfi’s preventive detention.

Authorities formally placed Yousfi in preventive detention on Saturday morning while the investigation continued. The National Union of Tunisian Journalists said the arrest instead reflected his independent journalism, including media appearances and interviews that regularly criticized the current authorities.

a recurring pattern of pressure, harassment and intimidation

· National Union of Tunisian JournalistsThe union’s description of restrictions facing the Tunisian press.

The International Federation of Journalists called for his immediate release. Reporters Without Borders also condemned the arrest and what it described as government pressure on the press. The organization urged authorities to “guarantee full respect for Yousfi’s right to a fair trial and maintain conditions conducive to the free practice of journalism without pressure.”

The journalists’ union described restrictions on the Tunisian press as “a recurring pattern of pressure, harassment and intimidation,” worsened by targeted smear campaigns and incitement on social media. It called Yousfi’s detention “a dangerous precedent and a clear message of intimidation” to journalists. Rights organizations have reported intensified repression of the press, dissent and critical voices since President Kais Saied assumed full powers in 2021 and reformed the political system and constitution.

a dangerous precedent and a clear message of intimidation

· National Union of Tunisian JournalistsThe union’s characterization of Yousfi’s detention.
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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