Tunisians rally in support of detained Nawāgan al-Samad activists
Thousands of Tunisians protested to demand the release of four Nawāgan al-Samad activists detained over financing and organizing activities tied to the flotilla to Gaza. The detainees—Wael Nawar, Ghassan al-Boughediri, Nabil al-Shanoufi, and Ghassan al-Henashiri—were arrested in March; three have been released, four remain in custody. Organizers cite unacceptable detention and hunger strikes; activists and rights figures describe alleged political motivation and possible foreign pressure, while Nawāgan al-Samad says their campaigns are peaceful. The report notes prior drone attacks on flotilla ships and ongoing calls from rights groups and families for release.
The provided article reports that thousands of Tunisians demonstrated to demand the release of four Nawāgan al-Samad activists detained over financing and organizing activities linked to the flotilla. The four named detainees—Wael Nawar, Ghassan al-Boughediri, Nabil al-Shanoufi, and Ghassan al-Henashiri—were arrested in March while preparing a new voyage from Tunisia to Gaza and face charges including money laundering and misuse of funds. Three have been released; four remain in custody. Organizers describe the detention as unacceptable and note that hunger strikes have begun in protest. Bassam al-Tarifi, head of Tunisia's Human Rights Association, says the case has political motivation and that detainees are treated like political prisoners. He also highlights broad public support for Palestine and suggests foreign pressure is involved. Ghassan Bouzai, a supporter, says the detentions form part of a broader crackdown on political opponents, human rights defenders, and journalists. Nawāgan al-Samad asserts their campaigns are peaceful protests against the Gaza siege, hunger, and destruction of civilian infrastructure. The article also recalls that last year the flotilla ships were attacked by drones at Sidī Bu Sa‘īd, and Tunisian authorities arrested executive committee members in March 2026; three were released, four remain detained. Rights groups and families continue calling for their release.