Kathmandu— Tunisian police have arrested Mohamed Yousfi, editor-in-chief of the investigative news website Al-Qatiba and a vocal critic of President Kais Saied, on Friday for questioning, according to the head of the National Syndicate of Tunisian Journalists, marking the latest in a series of prosecutions targeting media figures and activists under Saied's administration.

Arrest Details and Context

The arrest of Mohamed Yousfi, a prominent journalist known for his critical reporting on President Saied's government, occurred on Friday when Tunisian police brought him in for questioning. The National Syndicate of Tunisian Journalists confirmed the arrest to Reuters, though the specific focus of the investigation remains undisclosed.

Yousfi, who leads the investigative news platform Al-Qatiba, has been a consistent voice challenging Saied's policies. His arrest follows a pattern of increasing government pressure on independent media, with authorities not yet providing any public explanation for the detention.

Pattern of Prosecutions

This arrest is part of a broader trend of prosecutions against journalists and activists in Tunisia this year. In June, Khaoula Boukrim, founder of TUMEDIA, received a four-year prison sentence in absentia after fleeing to France. Earlier, in May, journalist Zied el-Heni was sentenced to one year in prison, while broadcasters and commentators Mourad Zeghidi and Borhen Bsaies received three-and-a-half-year sentences in January.

Rights groups have raised alarms about the systematic dismantling of democratic safeguards under Saied's rule, which has enabled authorities to pursue critics with greater impunity. The crackdown has intensified as the government consolidates power, targeting not only media but also opposition figures and civil society leaders.

Judicial Independence Concerns

The recent Court of Cassation ruling upholding a mass trial against 40 individuals, including opposition leaders and human rights defenders, has further highlighted concerns about judicial independence. The defendants were convicted of conspiring to overthrow President Saied, a charge that rights advocates argue is politically motivated.

Haifa Chebbi, a lawyer whose father, opposition leader Najib Chebbi, was among those sentenced to 12 years, stated, "The ruling confirms that the judiciary is not independent." Tunisia's Minister of Justice Leila Jaffel, however, defended the legal process, claiming the defendants sought to destabilize the country.

The situation remains fluid as authorities continue to pursue legal actions against critics, with no immediate resolution in sight for Yousfi or other detained journalists.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.