Fact check: viral video on EU aid to Tunisia and President Saïed's personal account is misleading
via Business News3 min read
A video circulating on Facebook, featuring European Commission spokesperson Ana Pisonero-Hernandez, falsely claims the European Union gave Tunisian President Kaïs Saïed one month to return 152 million euros deposited into his personal account for irregular African migrant aid. This claim generated significant reaction among Tunisian internet users, suggesting a conflict between Brussels and Tunis over migration. Investigations reveal the full video, published on October 24, 2024, by EU Debates TV, contains no such statements. Instead, the video addresses criticisms from the European Ombudsman regarding the European Commission's transparency in assessing human rights risks before signing a migration agreement with Tunisia. Pisonero-Hernandez reiterates the EU's commitment to human rights globally, including in Tunisia, and mentions 150 million euros in budgetary support for Tunisia's macroeconomic reforms. The video also discusses the European Ombudsman's recommendations, with the Commission spokesperson stating the Commission acknowledges the decision and suggestions for improvement, reaffirming its commitment to transparency and accountability. She adds that the European approach to migration management is based on human rights. The video does not mention any demand for reimbursement from Kaïs Saïed, a one-month ultimatum, or a transfer of funds to his personal account. The agreement discussed in the video, announced in July 2023, involved EU financial aid for migration coop
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Abir Moussi, president of the Free Destourian Party PDL, released a letter on Thursday, May 8, 2026, from detention, addressing Tunisians about her judicial situation and what she perceives as a deviation affecting several state institutions. Moussi, an attorney and political opponent, claims the prison administration has so far refused to deduct the period of her pre-trial detention, which began on October 3, 2023, from her sentence. She states that the ten-year sentence in the "reception desk" case has not yet begun to be counted by the prison administration. Moussi asserts she was informed that all her convictions would conclude in 2036, despite the months already spent in pre-trial detention. She views this as a violation of Article 15 of the Penal Code, which mandates the deduction of pre-trial detention from the final sentence, unless explicitly decided otherwise by the court. The PDL leader also claims no official document, written decision, or legal basis has been provided to justify the non-inclusion of her detention since October 2023. She believes her situation transcends a simple judicial dispute and is part of a "political persecution" aimed at permanently depriving her of political and civic rights. Moussi intends to continue her fight through "institutional channels," including appeals, official correspondence, and complaints to various state institutions. She has contacted the Parliament presidency, the Provisional Superior Council of the Judiciary, and the In
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