Tunisian authorities have arrested journalist and government critic Mohamed Yousfi as he arrived for a radio appearance.
Key facts
- •Mohamed Yousfi is the editor-in-chief of the investigative website Al-Qatiba.
- •The arrest occurred as Yousfi arrived at Express FM Radio to participate in a broadcast.
- •Police did not provide a reason for the detention to the radio presenter.
- •President Kais Saied has been ruling by decree since dissolving parliament in 2022.
- •Other journalists recently jailed include Zied Heni, Mourad Zghidi, and Borhen Bsaies.
Tunisian police arrested journalist Mohamed Yousfi, a frequent critic of President Kais Saied, as he prepared to enter Express FM Radio for a scheduled program. Zied Dabbar, president of the National Syndicate of Tunisian Journalists (SNJT), confirmed the arrest to Reuters.
Circumstances of the Arrest
Walid Ben Rhouma, the presenter who invited Yousfi to the program, reported that police officers stated Yousfi was being taken in for questioning. The officers did not provide a specific reason for the detention at the time of the arrest.
Context of Media Crackdowns
Yousfi serves as the editor-in-chief of the investigative news website Al-Qatiba and has been a vocal critic of President Saied’s policies. Rights groups have raised concerns regarding the suppression of independent media in Tunisia since Saied suspended and later dissolved parliament between 2021 and 2022, opting to rule by decree. Several other media figures have faced imprisonment this year, including Zied Heni, Mourad Zghidi, and Borhen Bsaies, while Khaoula Boukrim received a four-year sentence in absentia in June.
Timeline
- 2021President Kais Saied suspended the Tunisian parliament.
- 2022President Kais Saied dissolved the parliament and began ruling by decree.
- JuneKhaoula Boukrim was sentenced to four years in prison in absentia.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by Middle East Eye.
