Latest news with #Souab
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Tunisia leader Saied's opponents, supporters stage rival rallies
Opponents of Tunisian President Kais Saied have protested on the streets of the capital Tunis, accusing him of using the judiciary and police to suppress critics, while his supporters have held a counter-rally, highlighting a deepening political divide wracking the nation. The anti-Saied demonstration – the second opposition protest in a week – reflects growing concern among human rights groups that the birthplace of the Arab Spring is sliding towards an autocracy. Demonstrators on the capital's main thoroughfare chanted slogans such as 'Saied go away, you are a dictator' and 'The people want the fall of the regime,' a slogan that evoked the 2011 uprising – the first in the region in a year of tumult, and which toppled former President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. On the same street, Habib Bourguiba Avenue, Saied's supporters rallied in his defence, chanting, 'No to foreign interference' and 'The people want Saied again.' Riot police have been deployed in large numbers to separate the groups. No clashes have been reported as of yet. The demonstrations follow a months-long government crackdown on Saied's critics, including the detention last week of prominent lawyer Ahmed Souab, a fierce critic of the Thursday, the anti-Saeid protesters marched from the headquarters of the Administrative Court, where Souab had served as a judge before retiring and becoming a lawyer widely respected by all political parties. They then joined other protesters in a square that is home to the headquarters of the powerful UGTT union, before heading towards Habib Bourguiba Avenue. Souab's arrest followed prison sentences handed down last week to opposition leaders on conspiracy charges, drawing criticism from France, Germany, and the United Nations. Saied rejected the criticism, calling it a blatant interference in Tunisia's sovereignty. The opposition accuses Saied of undermining the democracy won in the 2011 revolution, since he seized extra powers in 2021 when he shut down the elected parliament and moved to rule by decree before assuming authority over the judiciary. They described his move as a coup, while Saied says it was legal and necessary to end chaos and rampant corruption. The leaders of most political parties in Tunisia are in prison. The government says there is democracy in Tunisia. Saied says he will not be a dictator but insists that what he calls a corrupt elite must be held accountable.
Al Jazeera
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Al Jazeera
Tunisia leader Saied's opponents, supporters stage rival rallies
Opponents of Tunisian President Kais Saied have protested on the streets of the capital Tunis, accusing him of using the judiciary and police to suppress critics, while his supporters have held a counter-rally, highlighting a deepening political divide wracking the nation. The anti-Saied demonstration – the second opposition protest in a week – reflects growing concern among human rights groups that the birthplace of the Arab Spring is sliding towards an autocracy. Demonstrators on the capital's main thoroughfare chanted slogans such as 'Saied go away, you are a dictator' and 'The people want the fall of the regime,' a slogan that evoked the 2011 uprising – the first in the region in a year of tumult, and which toppled former President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. On the same street, Habib Bourguiba Avenue, Saied's supporters rallied in his defence, chanting, 'No to foreign interference' and 'The people want Saied again.' Riot police have been deployed in large numbers to separate the groups. No clashes have been reported as of yet. The demonstrations follow a months-long government crackdown on Saied's critics, including the detention last week of prominent lawyer Ahmed Souab, a fierce critic of the president. On Thursday, the anti-Saeid protesters marched from the headquarters of the Administrative Court, where Souab had served as a judge before retiring and becoming a lawyer widely respected by all political parties. They then joined other protesters in a square that is home to the headquarters of the powerful UGTT union, before heading towards Habib Bourguiba Avenue. Souab's arrest followed prison sentences handed down last week to opposition leaders on conspiracy charges, drawing criticism from France, Germany, and the United Nations. Saied rejected the criticism, calling it a blatant interference in Tunisia's sovereignty. The opposition accuses Saied of undermining the democracy won in the 2011 revolution, since he seized extra powers in 2021 when he shut down the elected parliament and moved to rule by decree before assuming authority over the judiciary. They described his move as a coup, while Saied says it was legal and necessary to end chaos and rampant corruption. The leaders of most political parties in Tunisia are in prison. The government says there is democracy in Tunisia. Saied says he will not be a dictator but insists that what he calls a corrupt elite must be held accountable.
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Tunisia leader's opponents, supporters stage rival rallies in sharp political split
By Tarek Amara TUNIS (Reuters) - Opponents of Tunisian President Kais Saied protested on the streets of Tunis on Thursday, accusing him of using the judiciary and police to suppress critics, while his supporters held a counter-rally, highlighting a deepening political divide. The anti-Saied demonstration -- the second opposition protest in a week -- reflects growing concerns among human rights groups that the birthplace of the Arab Spring is sliding toward one-man rule. Demonstrators on the capital's main thoroughfare chanted slogans such as "Saied go away, you are dictator" and "The people want the fall of the regime", a slogan reminiscent of the 2011 uprising that toppled former President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. On the same street, Habib Bourguiba Avenue, Saied's supporters rallied in his defence, chanting, "No to foreign interference" and "The people want Saied again". Riot police deployed in large numbers to separate the groups. No clashes were reported. The demonstrations follow a months-long government crackdown on Saied's critics, including the detention last week of prominent lawyer Ahmed Souab, a fierce critic of the president. On Thursday the anti-Saeid protesters marched from the headquarters of the Administrative Court, where Souab had served as a judge before retiring and becoming a lawyer widely respected by all political parties. They then joined other protesters in a square that is home to the headquarters of the powerful UGTT union, before heading toward Habib Bourguiba Avenue. Souab's arrest followed prison sentences handed down last week to opposition leaders on conspiracy charges, drawing criticism from France, Germany, and the United Nations. Saied rejected the criticisms, calling it a blatant interference in Tunisia's sovereignty. The opposition accuses Saied of undermining the democracy won in the 2011 revolution, since he seized extra powers in 2021 when he shut down the elected parliament and moved to rule by decree before assuming authority over the judiciary. They described his move as a coup, while Saied says it was legal and necessary to end chaos and rampant corruption. The leaders of most political parties in Tunisia are in prison, including Abir Moussi, leader of the Free Constitutional Party, and Rached Ghannouchi, the head of Ennahda - two of Saied's most prominent opponents. The government says there is democracy in Tunisia. Saied says he will not be a dictator, but insists that what he calls a corrupt elite must be held accountable.
Reuters
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Reuters
Tunisia leader's opponents, supporters stage rival rallies in sharp political split
TUNIS, May 1 (Reuters) - Opponents of Tunisian President Kais Saied protested on the streets of Tunis on Thursday, accusing him of using the judiciary and police to suppress critics, while his supporters held a counter-rally, highlighting a deepening political divide. The anti-Saied demonstration -- the second opposition protest, opens new tab in a week -- reflects growing concerns among human rights groups that the birthplace of the Arab Spring is sliding toward one-man rule. Demonstrators on the capital's main thoroughfare chanted slogans such as "Saied go away, you are dictator" and "The people want the fall of the regime", a slogan reminiscent of the 2011 uprising that toppled former President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. On the same street, Habib Bourguiba Avenue, Saied's supporters rallied in his defence, chanting, "No to foreign interference" and "The people want Saied again". Riot police deployed in large numbers to separate the groups. No clashes were reported. The demonstrations follow a months-long government crackdown on Saied's critics, including the detention last week of prominent lawyer Ahmed Souab, opens new tab, a fierce critic of the president. On Thursday the anti-Saeid protesters marched from the headquarters of the Administrative Court, where Souab had served as a judge before retiring and becoming a lawyer widely respected by all political parties. They then joined other protesters in a square that is home to the headquarters of the powerful UGTT union, before heading toward Habib Bourguiba Avenue. Souab's arrest followed prison sentences handed down last week to opposition leaders on conspiracy charges, drawing criticism from France, Germany, and the United Nations. Saied rejected the criticisms, calling it a blatant interference in Tunisia's sovereignty. The opposition accuses Saied of undermining the democracy won in the 2011 revolution, since he seized extra powers in 2021 when he shut down the elected parliament and moved to rule by decree before assuming authority over the judiciary. They described his move as a coup, while Saied says it was legal and necessary to end chaos and rampant corruption. The leaders of most political parties in Tunisia are in prison, including Abir Moussi, leader of the Free Constitutional Party, and Rached Ghannouchi, the head of Ennahda - two of Saied's most prominent opponents. The government says there is democracy in Tunisia. Saied says he will not be a dictator, but insists that what he calls a corrupt elite must be held accountable.
Zawya
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
Tunisia: Crackdown on dissent intensifies with arrest of human rights lawyer following verdict in sham trial
The Tunisian authorities must immediately and unconditionally release lawyer Ahmed Souab and drop all charges against him, as they stem solely from his exercise of his right to freedom of expression and his professional duties as a lawyer, Amnesty International said today. Souab, a lawyer and former judge, was arrested on 21 April 2025, by the anti-terrorism brigade following comments he made criticizing the 'conspiracy case' trial during a press conference held by lawyers outside the courthouse. On 19 April a Tunisian court sentenced 37 people including prominent opposition figures, lawyers, and human rights defenders, to prison terms ranging from four to 74 years following a sham trial. Amnesty International is calling for the verdict to be quashed and the charges against all 40 defendants in the case to be dropped. 'Ahmed Souab's arbitrary detention is a blatant act of reprisal for his condemnation of flaws in the 'conspiracy case' trial. It also marks a further chilling escalation in the Tunisian authorities' assault on justice and makes clear their determination to silence those who dare to speak out against the authorities' repressive policies,' said Sara Hashash, Deputy Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa at Amnesty International. 'Like other lawyers, he is being targeted solely for exercising his right to freedom of expression and for representing his clients. He should be immediately and unconditionally released.' Souab, who represents two of the defendants in the conspiracy case, Ghazi Chaouachi and Ridha Belhaj, had denounced the trial as a 'farce' and highlighted numerous procedural violations and baseless accusations. His remarks, during which he used a figure of speech about the pressure on the presiding judge, were deliberately taken out of context on pro-government social media accounts, leading to calls for his arrest on false accusations that he had threatened the judge. Within hours of his arrest, the prosecution announced that Souab was being charged under counter-terrorism legislation, including preposterous accusations of 'forming a terrorist organization,' 'supporting terrorist crimes,' and 'threatening to commit terrorist crimes' in addition to 'disseminating false news,' according to Decree Law 54. Following his arrest, he was placed in police custody and initially denied access to his family and lawyers for 48 hours. On 23 April, the investigative judge at the anti-terrorism judicial division summoned Souab for a hearing but imposed arbitrary restrictions on his legal representation, limiting the presence of his defense team to four lawyers despite dozens being present to represent him. Souab's legal team boycotted the investigation in protest but the the judge proceeded to order his pre-trial detention for six months and Souab was transferred to the Mornaguia prison in Tunis. Another hearing session with the judge was scheduled for Monday 28 April. The 'conspiracy case' trial was marred by egregious fair trial violations. Lawyers highlighted that some defendants were never even formally notified of the indictment against them. The first hearing on 4 March, proceeded without the defendants present after the court vaguely cited a 'real danger' and insisted on online participation from prison, a decision vehemently opposed by the detainees and their lawyers. In the second hearing, on 18 April, observers from civil society, embassies, international NGOs, and independent media were barred from attending the session, with only one family member per defendant allowed entry. The third and final hearing on 18 April lasted less than a minute, with no opportunity for the defendants to be heard, no statements from the defense lawyers or cross-examinations allowed. In an unprecedented move, during the session the judge removed the names of three defendants from the list of defendants in this case and deferred their trials. Among those given exorbitant sentences were businessman Kamel Ltaeif (74 years), and opposition figures Noureddine Bhiri (43 years), Khayyam Turki (38 years), Jaouhar Ben Mbarek, Issam Chebbi, Ghazi Chaouachi, and Chaima Issa (all 18 years), Abdelhamid Jelassi, Sahbi Atig, Said Ferjani (all 13 years) in addition to human rights defenders such as Bochra Bel Haj Hmida (43 years) and Ayachi Hammami (eight years). 'The farcical nature of this trial, evidenced by the lack of respect of the presumption of innocence, the absence of the accused, the exclusion of observers, and the denial of any meaningful opportunity for defense illustrates a blatant disregard of human rights, including the right to a fair trial that Tunisia is obligated to uphold,' said Sara Hashash. Amnesty International has documented a worrying trend of targeting lawyers representing members of political opposition groups, activists, and human rights defenders in Tunisia, including those involved in the defense of the conspiracy case detainees. Disturbingly, President Kais Saied himself appeared to interfere with the judicial process, publicly stating in February 2023 that history had proven the detainees guilty before the courts and warning against anyone who might exonerate them. Such statements undermine the independence of the judiciary and have a direct effect on the work of defense lawyers. 'Undermining the independence of the legal profession and targeting lawyers who represent victims of human rights violations represents yet another serious setback to the right to legal defense and other fair trial guarantees in Tunisia,' said Sara Hashash. 'Legal professionals should be able to carry out their duties and express themselves freely without intimidation, harassment, or fear of retaliation.' Tunisian authorities must end the harassment and intimidation of lawyers and ensure they can perform their professional functions without fear of reprisal, in line with international standards, including the UN Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers. Authorities must also quash the unjust convictions and sentences in the 'conspiracy case' and cease the politically motivated prosecutions of critics, political opponents, and human rights defenders. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Amnesty International.
