Tunisian officials have launched an urgent investigation into the alleged sexual assault of a 16-year-old girl in the Mellassine district of Tunis. The teenager, who went missing after telling her mother she was heading to a local café, is currently receiving medical care. While police are actively pursuing two primary suspects and have already detained a nurse and an associate linked to the crime, the full scope of the incident remains under review. Tensions in the area escalated during subsequent police inquiries when officers were targeted by individuals throwing stones and deploying makeshift road spikes, leading to two additional arrests for obstruction of justice.

In response to a flurry of conflicting reports online, the government has issued a stern warning against the spread of misinformation, emphasizing that unverified claims could compromise the integrity of the ongoing probe. The Ministry of Family, Women, Children, and the Elderly is providing psychological and social support to the victim while calling for public restraint. Officials have explicitly urged citizens to stop sharing images of the victim, reminding the public that such actions violate the child's legal protections and privacy as investigators work to hold all perpetrators accountable.