Four Detained for Incorrectly Raising Turkish Flag

In a curious turn of events, Tunisian authorities have detained four individuals who reportedly hoisted the Turkish flag, which bears a striking resemblance to the Tunisian flag, atop a state building.

A video that made the rounds on social media recently revealed the Turkish flag flying above the Tunis headquarters of the national railway company, SNCFT. This incident soon led to a formal apology and the subsequent arrests.

While both flags share the same red and white palette and feature a star and crescent, the Tunisian flag has a distinctive white circle setting it apart.

The SNCFT announced on Tuesday that the incorrect flag had been taken down. An official statement was issued, expressing regret for the confusion and noting that an investigation is underway.

Apparently, the Turkish flag was mistakenly purchased and the error went unnoticed by staff until it was already raised.

The mix-up quickly caught the attention of social media users, and by Wednesday, various Tunisian news outlets including Mosaique FM disclosed that four railway workers had been apprehended. However, details about their identities and possible charges remain undisclosed.

Back in May, another flag-related incident stirred the nation. Due to World Anti-Doping Agency sanctions, the Tunisian flag was covered up at a sports event in Tunis, resulting in the arrest of three officials.

These sports officials were accused of “attacking the flag of Tunisia” and “conspiring against the internal security” of the state. They were released last week after serving a three-month sentence.

The incident drew strong reactions from Tunisian President Kais Saied, who is gearing up for an election next month that he is heavily favored to win.

During a visit to the venue involved in the flag incident, photos captured the President visibly emotional, with tears in his eyes.