Tunisia arrests 4 for mistakenly raising Turkish flag

Tunisian authorities have arrested four individuals following an incident in which the state railway company mistakenly raised the Turkish flag instead of the national Tunisian flag.

Measures intensify ahead of October elections

The mix-up occurred on Tuesday in the capital, Tunis, as the country steps up efforts to enforce measures ahead of the October elections.

A fifth person is currently under investigation, though it remains unclear what charges those involved may face, according to local broadcaster Mosaique FM, citing a court spokesperson.

The mistake was swiftly noticed after images of the Turkish flag flying in place of Tunisia’s spread across social media.

Tunisia’s SNCFT apologizes for flag mix-up

In response, the state-owned railway company SNCFT issued a formal apology, explaining that a “foreign flag” had accidentally been included in a batch of new Tunisian flags purchased by the company.

“The company’s general management reiterates its apology and emphasizes that raising the national flag is a supreme symbol of sovereignty and national unity, and under no circumstances can any behavior that may harm this symbolism be tolerated,” the company stated in its apology.

The General Management of the National Company of Tunisian Railways (CNRT) apologizes for the mistake related to the national flag that was recorded this morning, Tuesday, September 10, 2024, on one of the buildings of its departments under its consideration, as part of the renewal of the national flag displayed on its various buildings.

The company purchased a set of them, but upon receipt of the order, a foreign country flag similar to the flag of Tunisia was accidentally leaked, and this was not realized until it was raised today over the building of the Central Administration of the Iron King in Tunis, and the flag was immediately intervened and immediately replaced with the national flag.

The general management of the company also reacted immediately, with the permission of the Minister of Transport, and opened an investigation to identify the circumstances of this incident to assign responsibilities and take administrative and procedural measures in this regard.

Tunisian National Railway Company (SNCFT)’s statement

President Saied’s stance under scrutiny as flag error sparks arrests

Tunisia’s national flag has been at the center of controversy before. In May, Tunisian President Kais Saied expressed his frustration on national television after discovering the flag was not properly displayed at a sports competition.

He went as far as ordering the disbanding of the National Swimming Association in response to the incident.

Saied has faced criticism for stifling dissent and promoting nationalism, particularly as the country heads toward the Oct. 6 elections, where he is widely expected to win a second term.