Tunisian journalists' union condemns arrest of journalist Yathreb Mechri
via Business News2 min read
The National Syndicate of Tunisian Journalists SNJT issued a statement on Thursday, April 23, 2026, condemning the arrest of journalist Yathreb Mechri, founder of Tunisia24, calling it an attack on journalistic freedom. Mechri was arrested on Wednesday, April 22, while reporting on Habib Bourguiba Avenue in Tunis. She was taken to the Bab Bhar police station and then transferred to the competent judicial police brigade. According to her testimony, she was not wanted or subject to any judicial proceedings at the time of her arrest and was simply performing her duties. The SNJT highlighted several irregularities, stating that Mechri was questioned despite her request for a postponement in the absence of her lawyer and without an official summons. The syndicate noted she had previously been questioned regarding the same case, which involved content published on her website and financial management aspects of her media outlet. The situation escalated when a citizen filed a complaint against her concerning a video distributed on the website's social media. A confrontation ensued, after which Mechri agreed to remove the video. The SNJT expressed solidarity with Mechri and independent journalists, rejecting any prosecution outside the legal framework governing the profession. The syndicate also called on the Ministry of Interior regarding what it termed "procedural shortcomings," including the arrest without clear legal grounds and the lack of an official summons. This incident occu
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