A French doctoral student, Victor Dupont, was released from detention in Tunisia and returned to France on Friday. Dupont, a 27-year-old researcher at Aix-Marseille University, had been detained for nearly a month.
The release came after significant diplomatic efforts between the French and Tunisian governments.
French Foreign Ministry spokesperson Christophe Lemoine confirmed the news, expressing relief at Dupont’s return and the opportunity for him to reunite with his family.
Dupont’s detention had raised concerns about academic freedom and the treatment of foreign researchers in Tunisia.
His research focused on social movements, youth unemployment, and the 2011 Tunisian Revolution.
The circumstances surrounding his arrest and detention remain unclear, as Tunisian authorities have not publicly commented on the matter.
However, the incident has highlighted the increasing restrictions on civil liberties and human rights in Tunisia under President Kais Saied’s rule.
The release of Dupont is a positive development, but it does not address the broader issues of academic freedom and the erosion of democratic norms in Tunisia.
International observers will continue to monitor the situation closely.