Tunisia detains 11 Russians on suspicions of terrorism

Tunisian authorities have detained 11 Russians on suspicions of terrorism, AFP reports citing Russian state media and a statement from the Russian embassy in Tunis. The group was reportedly arrested in November near the Algerian border, with police seizing unspecified equipment deemed inconsistent with tourism. No formal charges have been filed, although the Embassy said the grounds for detention was “suspicions of involvement in terrorist activities”. 

Russian state media described the detainees as tourists visiting Roman ruins in Haidra, a remote site not on typical travel routes. Tunisia remains a popular destination for Russian tourists due to visa-free entry and affordability. However, Haidra, while home to some of North Africa’s oldest Roman ruins, is not a common stop for foreign visitors. 

The Russian embassy stated that Tunisian authorities have yet to provide further details on the case. Tunisia and Russia maintain solid diplomatic ties and agreed to expanded cooperation in agriculture and energy in 2023.