Tunisia has become since the partial reopening of the borders in June the main stopover for those who cannot find places on direct flights from abroad.
Nevertheless, many Algerian passengers are unaware of the legal texts governing foreign exchange and currency declarations in Tunisia, which causes them many mishaps.
Last December, a Franco-Algerian passenger testified to her misadventure at Tunis airport. Customs officers in civilian clothes arrested him and seized part of his money in foreign currency.
The same case happened with another Algerian national who has just given her testimony to a Tunisian television, New Media TV.
An Algerian passenger manhandled by Tunisian customs officers
The latter says that she was manhandled by Tunisian customs officers who took her to a room and confiscated her money. She was able to keep only €1500.
“They came to me without official clothes, they asked me if I had any money on me. I was taken to a closed room where there were five men who threatened me,” she says.
Many Algerians, but also nationals of sub-Saharan Africa have suffered the same treatment, says the passenger in question. “ They took the money away from me and left me only €1,500 when I informed them that as a doctor, I am going to seminars for three months and that I need the money. They replied that €1,500 was enough ”, adds the Algerian national who will definitely not forget her stay in Tunisia.
She resigned herself and decided to go to Dubai, but she still came back to Tunisia in February to try to recover her money. Since February 6, the passenger has been sent from service to service without being able to know where her file is. She still hasn’t been able to get her money back.
There would be a hundred Algerians in the same case. If passengers may be unaware of currency transfer regulations, Tunisian customs should explain the procedure.
Tunisia looks forward to reopening its land borders with Algeria to welcome the millions of Algerian tourists who are sorely lacking in its tourism sector, should take measures to prevent our nationals from being mistreated in this way on its soil.
