Tunisian authorities have released 11 Russian nationals who had been detained since November on suspicion of involvement in terrorist activities, Russian state media reported on Friday.
The group was arrested near Tunisia’s border with Algeria. While Russian media described them as tourists, Tunisian police reportedly seized equipment from the group that did “not correspond to declared tourist purposes,” according to a previous statement from Russia’s embassy in Tunis.
No formal charges were brought against the individuals, and both Tunisian and Russian officials have provided few details about the case.
The Russian state news agency TASS cited the embassy saying that the group would leave Tunisia on Friday, with flights already booked for their return.
According to Russian media, the group had been visiting Roman ruins in Haidra, a municipality near the Algerian border. Although Tunisia is a favored destination for Russian travelers due to its affordability and visa-free entry, Haidra is not commonly included in traditional tourist routes, despite its significant historical sites.
Tunisian authorities have not publicly commented further on the matter.