Arrested on 4 September at the entrance to the studios of radio station Express FM, where he was about to speak live about the country’s water crisis, Tunisian journalist Mohamed Yousfi, editor-in-chief of the investigative outlet Alqatiba, is still detained and suffering health problems. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) condemns the baseless proceedings against him and calls for his immediate release.
Investigative journalist Mohamed Yousfi was arrested on 4 September outside the premises of the private radio station Express FM in Tunis, the capital, where he was due to take part in a programme devoted to the country’s water-related issues. He was taken to the National Guard’s Third Central Brigade for Investigating Complex Financial Crimes in the Aouina district before being placed in police custody the following day, 5 September.
According to information the journalist’s lawyer, Bassem Trifi, gave to RSF, an investigation has been opened against Mohamed Yousfi based on a third party’s Facebook post accusing an unnamed journalist of working for “foreign agendas.” Due to this post, Mohamed Yousfi is now being investigated for “forming an association with the aim of harming persons and property, illicit enrichment and money laundering through an organisation, and setting up illicit financial flows from which the person concerned allegedly benefited through an association”. The proceedings come after a social media smear campaign targeting Mohamed Yousfi.
While in police custody, the journalist was questioned about his work and the editorial line of Al Qatiba, according to RSF’s information. His detention, ordered by the public prosecutor’s office, was extended by 48 hours on Monday, 7 September, until the morning of Wednesday, 9 September, when he was brought before the Economic and Financial Judicial Division.
“Nothing in this case justifies the continued detention of investigative journalist Mohamed Yousfi: the accusation is based on a social media post that does not even name him and his arrest comes amid a smear campaign aimed at silencing him. RSF calls for his immediate release, full respect for his right to a defence and reminds the Tunisian authorities of their obligation to ensure that the conditions necessary for journalists to work freely are met. The organisation is also concerned about the journalist’s health. He reportedly underwent surgery while in detention and is currently bedridden in hospital.”
Alqatiba is an investigative media outlet founded in September 2020 by Taqallam for Freedom of Speech and Creativity, an association that promotes the development of journalism in North Africa. Since its creation, the outlet has focused on investigative content through written and audiovisual publications. Its podcasts have become a trusted source for audiences seeking pluralistic, high-quality information. In March 2025, the five-member team, based in Tunis, obtained a Journalism Trust Initiative (JTI) certification.
These restrictions come amid a deterioration in press freedom in Tunisia, marked by administrative obstacles and the growing misuse of the justice system against journalists, limiting their ability to freely cover issues of public interest and undermining the right to information. Journalists are notably being prevented from covering the water crisis and social protests related to these shortages.
Tunisia ranks 137th out of 180 countries and territories in RSF’s 2026 World Press Freedom Index.
