Tunisia has released 11 Russians who were detained in November on allegations of "terrorism." They will soon return to Russia.
The group was found near Tunisia's border with Algeria. Russian media reported that the individuals were sightseers, but Tunisian police allegedly confiscated equipment that did "not correspond to declared tourist purposes," according to the Russian embassy in Tunis.
Neither Russia nor Tunisia has released details about the case. Tunisia held the group on suspicion of "involvement in terrorist activities" but did not formally charge them.
Russia's TASS news agency reported that the group had been released and would leave the country on Friday, citing the Russian embassy. The embassy said that tickets had been purchased for them and that they would leave during the day on two flights.
Russian state media said the group was visiting Roman monuments in the municipality of Haidra on the Algerian border.
Tunisia is a popular tourist destination for Russians, who face travel restrictions after Moscow's military actions in Ukraine, partly because it is relatively cheaper than other destinations and offers visa-free access.
Haidra is not on regular tourist routes, though it is home to some of the oldest Roman ruins in northern Africa.