Press release
Geneva – March 4, 2024
The Committee for Justice (CFJ) condemned the decision by the instruction judge at the Judicial Center for Combating Terrorism in Tunis to extend Judge Bachir Akrami’s detention for an additional four months without providing any legal justification. CFJ demands the immediate release of Judge Akrami and calls for a comprehensive review of Tunisia’s terrorism legislation to align it with international standards.
Judge Bachir Akrami, a prominent defender of the rule of law, was arrested on February 12, 2023, by the Anti-Terrorism Brigade without a judicial order and
without being informed of the reasons for his arrest. The charges against him, primarily falling under the controversial anti-terrorism law, resulted in his detention, a clear violation of both national and international legal standards, and an infringement upon his fundamental rights.
CFJ emphasizes that Judge Akrami’s arrest has already been a matter of concern, prompting UN experts to address the Tunisian authorities on January 31, 2024, expressing their dismay at the arbitrary nature of his detention and urging his immediate release.
CFJ underscores that the circumstances leading to Judge Akrami’s arrest have been thoroughly examined through various trials and administrative investigations, concluding with final decisions either classifying or rejecting the case. Therefore, the CFJ questions the necessity of prolonging his detention without legal grounds.
Furthermore, CFJ calls upon the executive authorities in Tunisia to cease targeting judicial officers and judges, urging them to uphold the independence of the judiciary. The committee emphasizes the need for a comprehensive review of terrorism legislation to ensure its alignment with international and humanitarian law and the international conventions to which Tunisia is a signatory.
