Abdallah Said, a prominent Tunisian advocate for migrants, has been detained in a groundbreaking case involving anti-terrorism investigators.
Said, who leads the “Children of the Medenine Moon” association, was arrested along with key members of his group and two bank officials.
Romdhane Ben Amor of the Tunisian Forum for Social and Economic Rights (FT DES) condemned the case, calling it a troubling sign of escalating repression against migration activists.
He noted that it’s the first time authorities have used terrorism laws against such groups.
The group is accused of receiving foreign funds to help sub-Saharan migrants enter Tunisia illegally.
Ben Amor warned that this arrest is part of a larger crackdown on organizations supporting migrants, following a similar wave of repression in May.
President Kais Saied has harshly criticized migrant rights groups, calling their leaders “traitors.”
His government continues to work with the EU to curb migrant crossings to Europe, despite growing reports of mistreatment in Tunisian custody.
