People smuggler arrested in Tunisia after drowning of 87 victims

The main organiser of a migrant smuggling operation in Tunisia has been arrested along with another man described as his business partner who also doubles as a military man.

Reports say the arrest of the suspects comes after at least 87 people drowned when their boat belonging to the main organiser sank off the southern coast this month.

Read also: Court orders arrest of 3 policemen, electoral official over burning of ballot boxes

According to reports, Prime Minister Youssef Chahed this month sacked his Interior Minister Lotfi Brahem and 10 security officials for failing to stop the boat which later sank off Kerkenna island from where it had set out.

Over the last few months, security forces have since cracked down on migrant smugglers as human traffickers increasingly use Tunisia as a launch pad for migrants heading to Europe as Libya’s coastguard, aided by armed groups, has tightened control and movement of migrants.

 

RipplesNigeria… without borders, without fears

Click here to join the Ripples Nigeria WhatsApp group for latest updates.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now