Hundreds protest in Tunis for release of pro-Palestinian activists

Hundreds of Tunisians gathered in Tunis on Saturday to demand the release of four pro-Palestinian activists jailed over allegations of money laundering and misuse of financial contributions raised for the Global Sumud Flotilla.

The four activists were arrested in March and are accused by authorities of financial misconduct related to the flotilla, which set sail in 2025 with the objective of delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza, says Arab News.

Supporters of the activists and rights advocates have rejected the allegations and called for their release. Ghassen Bouazi, an advocate speaking on behalf of the activists, described their detention as "part of a broader campaign targeting political figures, rights advocates and journalists".

Bouazi also alleged that the arrests were influenced by "pressures from abroad", without elaborating on specific details.

The Global Sumud Flotilla condemned the arrests and called for the activists' release, describing the government's action as a "troubling departure from Tunisia's long history of public solidarity with the Palestinian people".

The organisation describes its operations as a "non-violent response to genocide, siege, mass starvation, and the destruction of civilian life in Gaza".

The flotilla was anchored at Tunisia's Sidi Bou Said port last year before reaching Gaza when it was struck by two drones. Israel subsequently intercepted the flotilla before it arrived in Gaza, seizing its vessels and detaining and deporting the activists.

The jailed activists have also launched a hunger strike, with supporters raising concerns about their deteriorating physical health.

Saturday's demonstration highlighted tensions between the authorities' legal action against the activists and supporters seeking to continue humanitarian and pro-Palestinian advocacy.