Tunisian FM: Fighters returning from Syria will be tried

Tunisians who fight in Syria will be arrested upon their return to Tunis, the country’s Foreign Minister Taïeb Baccouche warned yesterday.

Baccouche said in a statement that some Tunisians imprisoned in Syria were arrested while they were trying to join militant groups, some took part in combat and were involved in criminal and terrorist acts. He stressed that those who return to Tunisia will be tried, according to Tunisian radio.

The ministry recently sent a delegation to visit a number of Tunisians who are being held in Syrian jails. The prisoners include journalists and activists. Baccouche said Syria is free to try them in Tunisia.

The head of the Tunisian delegation Ziad Al-Hani, who visited Syria in September, revealed that during the visit, the delegation learnt about the killing of more than 2,000 Tunisian fighters in 2014. This has increased to 8,000 fighters this year.

In a statement, the delegation said the Syrian Justice Minister Najm Al-Ahmad said it is difficult to repatriate Tunisian prisoners as a result of the nature of the charges brought against them.