Over 300 Algerian “Harragas” reportedly detained in 2 secret Tunisian prisons

The burning issue of illegal immigration is still the order of the day with numerous Algerian families in Annaba, Azzaba and Skikda in eastern Algeria, alerting the local authorities about the disappearance for several months now of their sons who quit Algeria for Italian shores via neighbouring Tunisia.

• These unfortunate families got in touch with local officials and parliamentarians in the east of the country and requested their help in the search for their children who have chosen the illegal immigration track for a safe haven in Italy after a short transit stay in Tunisia.
• According to some of the families concerned by the affair, scores of these Algerian “Harragas”, who have crossed into Tunisia, have reportedly been rounded up by Tunisian border guards and transferred to 2 secret detention centres on the islands of Zambra and Djalta in Tunisia.
• The place of detention of these Algerian “Harragas” has been leaked out to a parent of one of these illegal immigrants by a warden in one of these 2 secret prisons on Tunisian soil.
• The issue is still kept muted by the Tunisian Authorities, who have, so far, refused to give any details on the fate of these hapless Algerian detainees.
• The Harragas’ families are now pinning their hopes on the Algerian authorities, urging them to conduct an inquiry in conjunction with their Tunisian counterparts, to unravel all the intricacies of this sombre affair which is poisoning the daily life of many worried families in several cities in eastern Algeria.