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3 clusters · 32 sources · 5 days · First seen · Last updated

Arrest of Tunisian journalist Mohamed Yousfi

Overview

Mohamed Yousfi, the editor-in-chief of the independent investigative news site Al-Qatiba, was arrested in Tunisia on September 4, 2026, while preparing to participate in a radio program on Express FM regarding water policy. Judicial authorities, specifically the Economic and Financial Judicial Pole, have opened an investigation into Yousfi regarding allegations of money laundering, illicit enrichment, and forming an organized group to harm persons or property.

During his detention, Yousfi required emergency surgery for appendicitis and was hospitalized. Reports indicate he was interrogated despite his recent urgent surgery. The National Syndicate of Tunisian Journalists (SNJT) has expressed grave concern regarding his medical supervision and has held authorities responsible for his physical safety.

On September 7, journalists and activists held protests in Tunis to demand his immediate release. The SNJT, the Press Council, and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) have condemned the arrest, arguing that the financial allegations serve as a pretext to target a critic of President Kais Saied’s government. Defense lawyers have also claimed the case lacks supporting evidence or documentation.

Human rights organizations, including EuroMed Rights and the Federation of Asia Pacific Journalists (FAPAJ), have joined calls for his release. Observers note that Yousfi’s detention follows a series of arrests of other media figures, such as Mourad Zeghidi, Borhen Bsaïes, and Zied El Heni, signaling what critics describe as a broader crackdown on independent media and a dismantling of democratic safeguards in Tunisia.

Entities

Mohamed Yousfi · Kais Saied · Tunisia · Federation of Asia Pacific Journalists · Al-Katiba

Timeline

  1. 2 days ago

    [POLITICS] 4 sources
    Tunisia: Journalist Mohamed Yousfi detained amid press freedom concerns

    Journalist Mohamed Yousfi has been detained in Tunisia, prompting calls from international rights groups for his immediate release amid concerns over declining press freedom.

  2. 4 days ago

    [POLITICS] 9 sources
    Tunisian journalists protest arrest of Mohamed Yousfi

    Tunisian journalists are protesting the arrest of Al-Katiba editor Mohamed Yousfi, who faces money laundering charges that rights groups claim are a pretext to silence media critics.

  3. 7 days ago

    [POLITICS] 24 sources
    Tunisia arrests Al-Qatiba editor Mohamed Yousfi on financial crime suspicions

    Tunisian journalist Mohamed Yousfi, editor of Al-Qatiba, was arrested on suspicion of financial crimes while preparing to discuss the water crisis. Media groups warn the move threatens press freedom.

Sources

actunet.net · afrikactus.com · afriquexxi.info · alaraby.co.uk · aljazeera.com · alkuwaitnews.net · alsaudi.news · antiguatribune.com · bahamasspectator.com · barbadosgazette.com · ca.sports.yahoo.com · clubdelapressehdf.fr · cpj.org · diarioactualidad.com · espacemanager.com · fnsi.it · ghanaiantimes.com.gh · haitigazette.com · jamaicainquirer.com · kapitalis.com · leconomistemaghrebin.com · leral.net · myjoyonline.com · newarab.com · northafricapost.com · riotimesonline.com · sabcnews.com · siamevent.com · stvincenttribune.com · trinidadtribune.com · tunisie-tribune.com · webdo.tn

This summary has been updated 2 times: see revision history