Tunisian Journalists’ Union Confirms Detention of Prominent Broadcaster

Mohamed Yousfi was detained after being questioned about his journalism, Facebook posts and alleged financial offenses, Tunisia’s National Syndicate of Journalists said. The detention came amid what the union described as a social-media campaign to discredit and incite against the broadcaster.

According to Yousfi’s legal team, authorities questioned him about his work for the digital outlet Al Katiba and its editorial line, which criticizes the government of President Kais Saied. They also questioned him over alleged illicit enrichment. His defense rejected that accusation, saying Yousfi owns only an apartment in a modest neighborhood and a car purchased with a bank loan.

The union said officials approached Yousfi on Friday night outside a radio station where he works and asked him to accompany them for questioning at a financial-crimes unit. Authorities confirmed his detention after the questioning.

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a dangerous precedent and a clear message of intimidation

The National Syndicate of Journalists linked the case to what it called a broader and dangerous escalation of arrests and trials against journalists because of their work, media content and professional positions. It said Yousfi’s independent reporting, media appearances and interviews regularly included criticism of the current authorities.

The syndicate described the detention as “a dangerous precedent and a clear message of intimidation” to journalists. It demanded Yousfi’s immediate release, an end to legal proceedings connected to his work and freedom of expression, full access to a defense and respect for the presumption of innocence. It also called for an independent investigation into the arrest and the campaigns that preceded it, including any connection between the harassment and his detention.

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immediately