In a move that has raised concerns about freedom of expression, the Tunisian government has arrested a prominent lawyer and two journalists for their critical comments about the administration.
Sonia Dahmani, a lawyer and commentator, was arrested on Saturday night while sheltering at the Lawyers’ House, part of the country’s legal union. Her arrest was caught on camera as she was bundled out of the building.
Dahmani had refused to respond to a summons issued on Thursday for questioning regarding comments she made on a television programme on Wednesday. During the Donya Zina show on Carthage Plus channel, Dahmani had responded to host Braham Bsiss during a discussion on whether sub-Saharan African refugees and migrants transiting Tunisia would try to stay and “conquer” the country.In her remarks, Dahmani questioned the attractiveness of Tunisia as a country to settle in, given the plummeting standard of living that was pushing its youth to leave. Many viewers found her comment “degrading” to Tunisia’s image, and a summons to appear before an investigating judge was issued.
Two Other Journalists Arrested for Critical Comments
The same evening, TV and radio presenter Borhen Bssais and political commentator Mourad Zeghidi were also arrested for comments about the administration. They were held under a “48-hour detention warrant and [they] will have to appear before an examining magistrate”, their lawyer Ghazi Mrabet told the AFP news agency.
Dahmani’s Previous Criticism of Government
Two weeks ago, Dahmani had appeared on the same show, delivering an impassioned broadside to the government and President Kais Saied for “turning Tunisia into border guards for Europe” and “allowing a plan to turn it into ‘Lampedusa'”, in reference to the Italian island where undocumented refugees and migrants land.
Reasons for Summons Unclear
Dahmani stated that she did not respond to Thursday’s summons because it did not state a reason for its issuance nor did it provide supporting documentation. Instead, she sought refuge at the Lawyers’ House, which was subsequently raided to arrest her.
The arrests of Dahmani, Bssais, and Zeghidi come amid concerns about the Tunisian government’s intolerance for criticism, as it continues to tighten its grip on power and restrict freedom of expression in the country.
