Tunisian Journalists Protest over Media Crackdown After Colleague’s Arrest
Police arrested the Al-Katiba editor after questions about his reporting, and he later was hospitalized and had appendix surgery while in pretrial detention.
- On Friday, September 4, authorities arrested Mohamed Yousfi, editor-in-chief of the investigative news website Al-Katiba, on financial crime charges. Police detained him as he arrived at Express FM to discuss Tunisia's water crisis.
- President Kais Saied has overseen a broad crackdown on independent media since 2021, with rights groups alleging authorities use "anti-terror and illicit enrichment laws" to silence critics. Critics argue these prosecutions serve as pretext to target journalists.
- Dozens of journalists protested in Tunis on Tuesday demanding Yousfi's release. Lawyer Hela Ben Salem stated the case contains "no concrete evidence," while Oussama Bouagila, North Africa director at Reporters Without Borders , called the detention a "smear campaign aimed at silencing him."
- While in custody, Yousfi underwent surgery for appendicitis and was hospitalized, reportedly "screaming loudly from pain." The National Syndicate of Tunisian Journalists stated defense members had to leave an interrogation to provide him necessary medication.
- Yousfi is one of four journalists currently imprisoned in Tunisia, joining figures like Mourad Zghidi and Borhen Bsaies. SNJT President Zied Dabbar warned that journalists now face a stark choice: "prison, prosecution or exile.
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On Tuesday, 8 September, dozens of Tunisian journalists protested in Tunis to demand the release of their colleague Mohamed Yousfi, who was arrested for "illegal enrichment" and "money laundering", accusations that his lawyer described as unfounded. He was arrested as he was going to participate in a radio programme, during which he was to discuss the water crisis.
Tunisian Journalists Rally for Press Freedom Amid Arrests
Tunisian journalists protested for the release of Mohamed Yousfi, a prominent journalist detained on charges perceived as a crackdown on free press by President Kais Saied. Critics claim Saied's growing power has stifled free expression. Protests highlight fears as several journalists face legal actions this year.
Tunisian journalists protest over media crackdown after colleague’s arrest
Tunisian Authorities Arrest Journalist Mohamed Yousfi Amid Financial Investigation
New York -- Tunisian authorities must immediately release journalist Mohamed Yousfi, a well-known critic of President Kais Saied's government, and end its use of financial crime allegations to target members of the press, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Monday.
The detention of the editor-in-chief of Al-Katiba, whose state of health has suddenly deteriorated, no longer raises only the question of press freedom in Tunisia. It exposes a disturbing mechanism worthy of Ubu king: the use of extremely serious financial accusations ... by a Facebook publication. His media is known for investigating sensitive subjects. At the time of his arrest, the journalist was to mention a study on the structural dysfuncti…
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