Tunisia to free opposition figure after 4 months in jail: lawyer

Posted On 23 June 2023

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A Tunisian judge on Friday ordered the release of opposition figure Chaima Issa four months after her arrest on suspicion of “plotting against state security”, her lawyer told AFP. Issa should walk free later in the day unless the prosecution appeals by 5:00 pm (1600 GMT) against the decision taken by a judge from the anti-terrorism unit, said defence attorney Dalila Msaddek.

A member of Tunisia’s main opposition coalition, the National Salvation Front (NSF), Issa was arrested along with some 20 other opposition, media and business figures in February. They were detained in connection with an investigation into claims of “plotting against state security” and branded as “terrorists” by President Kais Saied.

The president froze parliament and sacked the government in a dramatic July 2021 move against the sole democracy to emerge from the Arab Spring uprisings. His critics have dubbed the move a “coup” while local and international rights groups decried a “witch hunt” aimed at “repressing” free opinion in the North African country.

AFP
Other Articles in this Week's Issue<< Libya arrests 50 foreign nationals over alleged illegal crypto mining operation in ZlitenSahel: Mali has a new constitution >>
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Written by The North Africa Journal

The North Africa Journal is a leading English-language publication focused on North Africa. The Journal covers primarily the Maghreb region and expands its general coverage to the Sahel, Egypt, and beyond, when events in those regions affect the broader North Africa geography. The Journal does not have any affiliation with any institution and has been independent since its founding in 1996. Our position is to always bring our best analysis of events affecting the region, and remain as neutral as humanly possible. Our coverage is not limited to one single topic, but ranges from economic and political affairs, to security, defense, social and environmental issues. We rely on our full staff analysts and editors to bring you best-in-class analysis. We also work with sister company MEA Risk LLC, to leverage the presence on the ground of a solid network of contributors and experts. Information on MEA Risk can be found at www.MEA-Risk.com.

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