Tunisia: Another lawyer arrested by authorities
The recent spout of arrests and convictions in Tunisia has continued as state authorities have arrested a defence lawyer on grounds of “conspiracy against the state”.
As reported by Middle East Monitor on April 22nd, the authorities arrested the lawyer Ahmed Sawab who is a member of the defence team in the “conspiracy against state security” case which involves some of the highest profile opposition figures in Tunisia.
Fellow lawyer Sami Ben Ghazi’s took to Facebook to post that: “Security forces raided the home of professor and former judge Ahmed Sawab, and then he was taken to the headquarters of the Tunisian National Counterterrorism Commission (CNLCT) in Bouchoucha.”
The arrest follows shortly in the wake of a court handing out prison sentences ranging from between 13 and 66 years for “conspiracy against the state.”
The sentences were handed out to judges, lawyers, politicians and journalists in what was described as a “sham” trial by the opposition Ennhada Party after some trials were held remotely, in the absence of the defendants despite their categorical rejection of such a move being made.
Sawab was part of the defence team for the case.
His team released a statement shortly before he was arrested saying that: “The trial did not meet the most basic requirements of a criminal trial, in addition to the absence of basic guarantees for a fair trial.”
The case began after the first round of high-profile arrests were made in February 2023 on the grounds of “attempting to damage public order and undermine state security,” “collaborating with foreign entities,” and “inciting chaos or disobedience.”
Despite facing multiple civilian protests, President Kais Saied has shown an unwavering commitment to continuing on with the arrests and to cracking down on any political opposition.
Saied won 2024’s elections with a staggering 91% of the vote share and despite arresting opposition figures during the campaign stage, he has been adamant that democracy is still alive and healthy within Tunisia.
Middle East Monitor, Maghrebi
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