Key facts
- At least 11 people were arrested in Tunisia on Saturday following a protest.
- The protest called for the release of four jailed activists involved in organizing a Gaza-bound humanitarian flotilla.
- Lawyers and activists reported the arrests, with numbers ranging from 11 to 15.
- A judge extended the detention of the arrested protesters by 48 hours.
- The four jailed activists were arrested in March 2026 on charges of misusing funds.
- One of the jailed activists, Wael Naouar, has been on hunger strike for over a month.
Tunisian authorities arrested at least 11 people on Saturday following a protest demanding the release of four jailed activists associated with the Global Sumud Flotilla, which aimed to deliver aid to Gaza. Lawyers and activist groups reported the arrests, with figures varying between 11 and 15. A judge has since extended the detention of those arrested by 48 hours.
The four activists were initially detained in March 2026 on charges of misusing funds raised for the flotilla. Supporters claim the charges are politically motivated and part of a wider crackdown on dissent. One of the detained activists, Wael Naouar, has been on hunger strike for over a month, with serious concerns raised about his deteriorating health. The other three detained activists have also reportedly been on hunger strike.
Human rights activists have linked the latest arrests to the policies of President Kais Saied, suggesting a pattern of targeting activists, their lawyers, and their supporters. The Global Sumud Flotilla has condemned the arrests and called for the release of the detained individuals, describing their actions as a non-violent response to the situation in Gaza.