human rights defender
Mohamed Yousfi
© Reporters Sans Frontières (RSF)
Organization affiliation
- Syndicat national des journalistes tunisiens (SNJT)
HRD's year of birth
1989
HRD's Gender
Man
Type of HRD
- Journalist/Blogger
HRD's thematic area of engagement
- Civil and political rights
- Fight against impunity
HRD's geographical origin
Urban
HRD's bio and work
Mohamed Yousfi is a Tunisian investigative journalist, researcher and media professional. He is the Editor-in-Chief of Al-Katiba, an independent digital platform specializing in investigative and in-depth journalism in Tunisia and the Arab region.
Yousfi began his journalistic career in 2013 as a correspondent for Haqaeq Online in Sfax. He later became Editor-in-Chief of the news website before moving on to other media experiences in radio and television.
He has extensive experience in radio and television, notably as the host of the political programme “Houna Tounes” on Diwan FM. He has also worked as a journalist, political commentator and media trainer, and has contributed to investigative and explanatory journalism.
Between 2017 and 2020, Yousfi served as Assistant Secretary-General of the National Union of Tunisian Journalists (SNJT), in charge of press freedoms. He was also a member of the Ethics Committee of the Tunisian Press Council.
His professional work has focused particularly on investigative journalism, data journalism, explanatory journalism, freedom of the press and freedom of expression. He has participated in cross-border investigations and collaborated with international journalism organisations, including the Global Investigative Journalism Network (GIJN) and the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP).
He has also worked as a trainer with several international organisations and institutions, including the Al Jazeera Media Institute, DW Akademie and the Institute for War and Peace Reporting (IWPR).
Current Status
In prison (pre-trial)
Detained since
Sep 4, 2026
Charge(s)
- Financial crimes
Sentence
On 8 September 2026, an investigating judge at the Economic and Financial Judicial Division ordered his pre-trial detention and issued a committal warrant against him. According to his defence team, the decision was issued in circumstances involving serious procedural irregularities, including the failure to complete his questioning, the denial of an opportunity for the defence to present its arguments, and the issuance of the warrant in his absence. The lawyers also refused to sign the questioning record.
Yousfi is being investigated on suspicion of forming an association with the intention of attacking persons and property, illicit enrichment, and money laundering through an organised group, allegedly exploiting facilities afforded by his professional and social activities. The proceedings also involve suspicions of tax evasion. The charges refer to provisions of the Tunisian Penal Code, the legislation on combating terrorism and money laundering, and the legislation on the declaration of assets and interests and the prevention of illicit enrichment and conflicts of interest.
His defence disputes the allegations, arguing that the case is based on unverified social media posts and speculation rather than substantiated financial evidence. The allegations remain under judicial investigation.
Latitude: 36.75155679978683
Longitude: 9.988865037085823
Geolocation of detention
Country or area of detention
Region of detention
- Africa: Northern Africa
Location of detention - City/Town
Mornaguia - Manouba
Location of detention - Facility
Civil prison of Mornaguia
Allegations / reports of ill-treatment
Concerns have been raised regarding Mohamed Yousfi’s treatment and access to adequate medical care while deprived of his liberty.
During the night of 4–5 September 2026, while in police custody, Yousfi suffered an acute medical episode that required his transfer to hospital and emergency surgery to remove his appendix. Despite this intervention, his detention was extended by 48 hours on 7 September.
On 8 September, while appearing before the investigating judge, Yousfi reportedly experienced severe pain at the site of the surgery and was unable to continue his interrogation. According to his defence, a Civil Protection doctor examined him and requested his transfer to hospital due to the seriousness of his condition. His lawyers also had to obtain the medication he required.
Despite his deteriorating condition and the fact that his interrogation had not been completed, a detention order was issued against him. His subsequent transfer from hospital to Mornaguia Prison on the evening of 10 September, while he was still recovering from surgery, raised further concerns about the adequacy and continuity of his medical care.
Additional concerns relate to the reported refusal by the prison administration, on 9 September, to validate the visiting permit issued by the investigating judge to Yousfi’s wife. This prevented her from visiting him and bringing him his medication, clothes and food.
Recent case update / evolution
On 4 September 2026, Mohamed Yousfi was arrested by officers from the National Unit for Investigation into Complex Financial Crimes as he was preparing to enter the premises of Express FM radio station to participate in a programme discussing Tunisia’s water crisis and presenting the book Thirsty Tunisia. His mobile phone was seized, and he was taken to the Central Third Brigade for Investigation into Complex Financial Crimes of the National Guard in Aouina. He was placed in police custody on the morning of 5 September 2026.
His arrest followed a sustained online smear campaign targeting him in connection with his journalistic work and positions. The investigation reportedly relied on social media posts alleging a rapid increase in his wealth, including claims concerning bank accounts and real estate assets.
His defence maintains that the allegations are unsupported by evidence of unusual financial transactions, property documents or financial investigations. His lawyers have challenged the legal and procedural basis of the proceedings.
On 7 September 2026, his detention was extended for an additional 48 hours, despite him having undergone emergency surgery while in custody.
On 8 September 2026, Yousfi appeared before an investigating judge at the Economic and Financial Judicial Division for questioning. However, severe pain due to his recent surgery prevented him from completing the questioning. According to his defence team, a Civil Protection doctor examined him and requested that he be transferred to hospital due to the seriousness of his condition. Despite his deteriorating health and the incomplete questioning, the investigating judge ordered his pre-trial detention.
On 9 September 2026, the prison administration at Mornaguia refused to validate a visiting permit issued by the investigating judge to Yousfi’s wife. As a result, she was unable to visit him or deliver his clothes, medication and food.
On the evening of 10 September 2026, Yousfi was transferred from hospital to Mornaguia Civil Prison. According to his lawyer, his health was reportedly improving, and he was recovering from emergency surgery to remove his appendix.
On 11 September 2026, lawyers Hala Ben Salem and Sami Ben Ghazi visited Mohamed Yousfi at Mornaguia Civil Prison. During the visit, Yousfi reportedly stated that he believed the proceedings were linked to the independent editorial policy of Al-Katiba, the media outlet he edits, and to his professional independence. He described the proceedings as an attempt to silence his voice.
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