The Al-Shehab Human Rights Center expressed its concern regarding the decision of the Court of Appeal in Tunis, issued today, Wednesday, to uphold the initial ruling sentencing Rached Ghannouchi, the head of the Ennahda Movement and former Speaker of the Tunisian Parliament, to 22 years in prison in the case known in the media as "Anstalingo."
The ruling in this case includes prison sentences for 41 defendants, including politicians, journalists, bloggers, and businessmen, with penalties ranging from 5 to 54 years, based on charges related to state security.
The events of the case date back to a company specialized in content creation and digital communication that was active in the Sousse Governorate, before Tunisian authorities raided its headquarters in September 2021, on the grounds of suspected involvement in matters affecting state security.
The Al-Shehab Center confirms that these rulings come in the context of a tense political and judicial climate in Tunisia since July 2021, amid rising human rights criticisms regarding the expansion of using security-related cases to pursue political opponents and journalists, raising serious concerns about guarantees of a fair trial and the independence of the judiciary.
The Al-Shehab Human Rights Center demands:
Ensuring respect for the fair trial standards stipulated in the Tunisian constitution and international agreements.
Halting the expansion of using security-related laws to restrict freedom of opinion and expression.
Enabling all defendants to have full defense rights, including publicity, transparency, and guarantees of a fair trial.
Calling on judicial bodies to enhance the independence of the judiciary and protect it from any political influences.
Requesting the international community and relevant UN mechanisms to monitor the case and assess its compliance with international human rights standards.
#Al_Shehab_Human_Rights_Center
