Press Release
The “Committee for Justice” (CFJ) has reported the referral of the leader of Tunisia’s Free Destourian Party, Abir Moussa, to the Criminal Chamber at the Court of Appeals on serious charges, amidst allegations of procedural violations that undermine her right to defense.
The committee confirmed that the referral decision, issued on December 24, 2024, included charges related to “intentional assault aimed at changing the state’s governing body, inciting residents to attack one another with weapons, and causing unrest within Tunisian territory,” as stipulated under Article 72 of the Penal Code.
Observations on Judicial Procedures:
The committee pointed out several legal irregularities associated with the case. Among the most notable were the defense team of Abir Moussa not being granted access to the prosecution’s requests and the rejection by the Court of Accusation of a postponement request submitted by her lawyers to prepare the defense. The committee described these steps as violations of the principles of a fair trial, especially given the severity of the charges, which could result in the death penalty.
CFJ also highlighted complaints raised by the defense team about what it described as “repeated restrictions.” These included limitations on issuing visitation permits for lawyers and the insufficient time allocated for meetings with their client at Manouba Prison. According to the committee, these obstacles hinder the defense team’s ability to address the numerous files linked to the case, particularly given the severity of the expected penalties.
– Call to Ensure Defense Rights:
In its final report, CFJ calls on judicial authorities to respect the rights of the defense by granting sufficient time for lawyers to review the documents and ensuring transparency in judicial procedures. The committee also emphasizes the need to provide guarantees for a fair trial in accordance with constitutional and international standards, especially in this politically sensitive case.
