University demands release of French student arrested in Tunisia

One of the faculties of Aix-Marseille University on 4 October 2023. One of the university's PhD students is under arrest in Tunisia.

French PhD student Victor Dupont has been detained in Tunisia on breach of state security charges for at least 12 days, it was announced this week. His university has denounced the arrest as an attack on fundamental liberties.

"This is an attack on academic freedom," Vincent Geisser, director of the French Institute of Research and Study on the Arab and Islamic Worlds at Aix-Marseille University (Iremam), told press agencies.

Dupont, 27, was arrested on 19 October at his home in a suburb of Tunis.

His detention only came to light this week, his supporters having tried to negotiate his release out of the public eye.

His parents travelled to Tunis a few days ago to discuss the case with France's ambassador, according to media reports.

Geisser confirmed to RFI that the family had now set up a support committee to demand his release.

Dupont was in Tunisia to conduct sociological research on the country's 2011 protests.

One of his friends, Edouard Matalon, a librarian visiting from Paris, was also arrested but released the same day after questioning.

According to Matalon, another of their friends, who has dual French-Tunisian nationality, also remains in custody.

Neither Tunisian or French authorities were immediately available for comment.

'Exceptional' measures

After being detained, Dupont was "taken to an interrogation centre, placed in custody, and the same day brought before a military judge", Geisser said in a press release, calling the last measure "exceptional" for a French student.

(with newswires)


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