Victor Dupont, a 27-year-old French doctoral student detained in Tunisia, has returned to Paris after nearly a month in custody.
Arriving at Charles de Gaulle Airport on Friday, Dupont’s release follows weeks of intensive diplomatic negotiations between France and Tunisia.
French Foreign Ministry spokesman Christophe Lemoine expressed relief at a news briefing, emphasizing the importance of Dupont’s reunion with his loved ones.
Dupont was arrested in Tunis 27 days earlier, sparking international concern over his safety and Tunisia’s treatment of foreign researchers.
His work, focused on social movements and Tunisia’s 2011 revolution, posed no apparent threat, according to supporters and academic associations.
Three other French nationals were detained near Dupont’s apartment on October 19. Two were released, but one woman’s status remains unclear.
Tunisian authorities have not commented on the arrests, which critics say reflect a growing crackdown under President Kais Saied’s leadership.
Saied, who rose to power on populist sentiments, has reversed many democratic advances achieved after Tunisia’s Arab Spring uprising in 2011.
The Middle East Studies Association condemned Dupont’s detention, warning it endangers academic freedom and sets a troubling precedent.
France, Tunisia’s top trade partner and long-time ally, engaged in high-level discussions, with President Macron personally addressing the matter.
Dupont’s arrest recalls other cases where researchers faced risks in the region, highlighting ongoing challenges for academic inquiry and human rights.
His release, while celebrated, underscores the fragile balance between diplomacy and freedom in an increasingly restrictive environment.
