Russian embassy says contact with Tunisian authorities on detained Russians

The Russian Embassy in Tunisia is in contact with the country's authorities regarding the tourist group of 11 Russians detained there. This was reported in the diplomatic mission on December 17.

After familiarizing themselves with the situation, the diplomats noted that the rights of the Russian citizens, placed in prison, were not violated. None of them complains about the state of health.

"The well-being of the Russians is satisfactory, no complaints about the conditions of detention and possible manifestation of discriminatory attitudes towards them on the part of the penitentiary administration have been expressed," TASS quoted the statement as saying.

It is noted that the embassy maintains constant contact with law enforcement and investigative authorities of Tunisia, as well as the consular service of the local foreign ministry.

Investigative actions are being carried out with regard to the Russians. In the near future, the date of the first court hearing will be set, it will be held in closed mode, RBC adds. It is specified that the citizens of the Russian Federation were detained in the locality of Haidra in the province of Kasserine on the border of Tunisia and Algeria, where they went with "research and local history" purposes.

"This area is under special control of the local security forces, given that it is home to Tunisia's sensitive infrastructure, including those under the jurisdiction of the republic's Ministry of Defense. Also, the situation remains tense in the border area due to the presence of terrorist cells there," the embassy said.

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Earlier on December 17, Anastasia, the fiancée of one of the detained travelers, told Izvestia that a group of 11 Russian tourists were detained by local authorities and sent to the Mornagia prison, which is famous for cruel conditions and torture. Anastasia said that the travelers were visited by representatives of the consulate, but due to the lack of interpreters, the investigation is progressing very slowly. The girl's lawyer added that together with the detainees there is another Russian woman who is accused of stealing a yacht.