Victor Dupont Released from Tunisian Detention

Victor Dupont, a French PhD student arrested in Tunisia on October 19, was released on November 12, returning to Paris on November 15. Dupont was conducting research on social movements and youth unemployment related to Tunisia's 2011 revolution when he was detained alongside two other French nationals, prompting international scrutiny due to the alleged charge of undermining national security. His supporters, including academics and NGOs, criticized the charges as unfounded and indicative of increasing restrictions on academic freedom under President Kais Saied's administration. French Foreign Ministry spokesperson Christophe Lemoine confirmed the ministry's support during the ordeal, emphasizing that Dupont’s research posed no threat to Tunisia. The incident has raised concerns about the safety of foreign researchers in a country where rights and freedoms have been increasingly curtailed. Dupont’s case reflects broader issues regarding academic freedom and the treatment of foreign nationals in Tunisia amidst a tightening political climate.