Summary:

On 30 December, the US Defense Department announced the repatriation of a Tunisian detainee named Ridha Al-Yazidi, who had been at Guantanamo Bay since its establishment in 2002, raising questions as to how Tunisia will manage his return. 

Originating from Enfidha, Tunisia, Ridha Al-Yazidi, was captured in the border area between Pakistan and Afghanistan and then transferred to Guantanamo Bay due to affiliations with Al Qaeda. He was never tried nor convicted by the US justice system.  

However, in 2005, a Tunisian military court sentenced Al-Yazidi to 20 years in prison and five years of administrative control on charges of joining a terrorist organization operating abroad. His repatriation was requested ten years ago by the US government but had not taken place as Tunisian authorities remained reluctant. 

The repatriation comes as many organizations, such as the National Observatory for the Defense of the Civil State, warned of the potential return of Tunisian jihadists in Syria, calling on authorities to be extremely cautious and to develop a clear plan for managing these returnees.  

Outlook: 

The repatriation of Al-Yazidi confirms the high level of security cooperation between the US and Tunisia. However, the decade of delay in executing the repatriation could point to uncertainty within the Tunisian government around specific plans to managing such a returnee. 

Tunisia has typically refused to readmit jihadists returning from terrorism hotspots. However, opinions remain divided regarding how Tunisian authorities should manage returnees, with some arguing they should be prevented from returning and deprived of citizenship, while others propose they be prosecuted under Tunisian law for their jihadist activities.  

Fears remain that, if imprisoned in Tunisia, returnees could have a radicalizing influence on other prisoners, creating significant long-term risks to Tunisian security and society.  

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