In the space of a few days, Tunisia has released foreign nationals in two cases sensitive to the possible diplomatic resonances.
On Friday April 11, 2025, the investigating judge of the anti -terrorist pole ordered the release of eleven Russian citizens arrested last November in a prohibited military zone in Haidra (Kasserine). Their presence in this secure perimeter had immediately aroused suspicion of terrorist activities or espionage.
After several months of in -depth investigations, including technical expertise and information overlaps, the judicial authorities concluded that the prisoners are absence of convincing elements. No details were communicated on the exact circumstances of their presence in this sensitive area.
Two days later, Sunday April 13, Reuters announced the release of Robert Viera, an American citizen detained for thirteen months for suspicion of spying while he participated in an evangelical mission. Adam Boehler, an American special envoy for hostage issues, praised “the Tunisian authorities’ decision to close this file” after this long without judgment.
The temporal proximity of these two court decisions arouses questions about possible diplomatic negotiations. If no official link has been established between these cases, their concomitance draws the attention of observers of Tunisian-Western relations.
