Amnesty International is calling on Tunisian authorities to overturn the prison sentences handed down to lawyer Ayachi Hammami, who was detained in connection with the so-called “conspiracy against state security” case. The organization is also demanding the release of all defendants in the same case.
Hammami was arrested on December 2nd, pursuant to a court ruling sentencing him to five years in prison. Since his arrest, Hammami has been on a hunger strike, protesting what he claims is a denial of his right to a fair trial.
Hammami is a prominent lawyer in Tunisia, having previously served as Minister of Human Rights and headed the National Authority for the Defense of Freedoms and Democracy.
In a pre-recorded video, Hammami stated that he would be serving a five-year prison sentence on charges of belonging to a terrorist organization, according to a ruling issued by the Court of Appeal. However, he asserted that this ruling was a “political decision made by President Kais Saied and his government to imprison dozens of Tunisians.”
He continued, “This is [the President’s] answer to the country’s problems because he is unable to solve our problems in health, transportation, education, political repression, and in all fields. He resorts to branding those who disagree with him as traitors and conspirators and silences voices to prevent dissenting opinions.”
Hammami further stated that Saied has been ruling unilaterally for four years, while the country is heading towards deterioration. He affirmed his commitment to continue fighting for democracy, human rights, freedoms, and social justice, even from inside his prison cell.
In a statement, Amnesty International said it is demanding that Tunisian authorities “immediately quash all unfair convictions and prison sentences against lawyer Ayachi Hammami and the remaining 33 defendants in the so-called conspiracy case.”
As of yet, there has been no immediate comment from Tunisian authorities regarding the organization’s statement. Authorities maintain that the defendants are being tried according to the law in criminal cases. DZWatch will continue to follow this developing story.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
