Tunisia Releases Journalist Ziad Elhany After Two Days of Detention

A Tunisian judge released journalist Ziad Elhany today, Thursday, after holding him for two days on suspicion of insulting President Kais Saied following radio statements. The decision for his release came after a solidarity campaign for the journalist and widespread criticisms of the authorities for allegedly attempting to undermine freedom of expression, a key achievement Tunisians gained after the 2011 revolution that ended the authoritarian rule of the late President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. Ziad Elhany told reporters outside the Tunis courthouse after his release, "What happened was a foolish attempt to intimidate me and silence my voice, but that will not happen. I say to those who thought of this: you have got the wrong address. You are not just facing Ziad Elhany but a profession and journalists committed to their freedom and independence." Elhany has been known for his fierce criticism of all governments over the past years, and he is currently a vocal critic of President Kais Saied.