Tunisian journalists protest arrest of Mohamed Yousfi

Journalists and activists in Tunisia held protests in Tunis to demand the immediate release of Mohamed Yousfi, the editor-in-chief of the investigative news website Al-Katiba. Yousfi was arrested on September 4 while preparing to participate in a radio program on Express FM.

Authorities have detained Yousfi on charges of illicit enrichment and money laundering. However, the National Union of Tunisian Journalists (SNJT) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) argue these financial allegations are a pretext to silence a prominent critic of President Kais Saied. Protesters and rights groups claim the charges lack concrete evidence and are part of a broader crackdown on independent media.

During his detention, Yousfi’s health deteriorated, requiring emergency surgery to remove his appendix. The SNJT has expressed grave concern regarding his medical supervision and has held authorities responsible for his physical safety. The detention of Yousfi follows a series of arrests of media figures in Tunisia, which critics say signals a dismantling of democratic safeguards and press freedoms.