Press release
Geneva – June 13, 2024
The “Committee for Justice” (CFJ) has condemned the referral of Hattab Ben Othman, the former Secretary-General of the National Union of Judicial Officers and Staff, to the specialized terrorism chamber at the Tunis First Instance Court by the Indictment Division of the Tunis Court of Appeal.
The spokesperson for the Tunis Court of Appeal, Habib El Turkhani, stated that Ben Othman appeared before the misdemeanor chamber while in custody, alongside another defendant who was released. They are being prosecuted on terrorism-related charges, following the discovery of 27 CDs in Ben Othman’s possession, all linked to investigations by the Judicial Pole for Counter-Terrorism.
CFJ rejects the referral of Ben Othman to the exceptional (terrorism) court on charges that appear to be connected to his union activities. CFJ calls for an end to these arbitrary measures and the targeting of activists for their union work.
CFJ also emphasizes the importance of respecting the right to a fair trial, which requires that Ben Othman—if tried—should stand before a regular judge in a non-exceptional court that rules according to standard laws.
