France expresses its concern over the arrest of a well-known lawyer and journalist in Tunisia

May 14. () –

The French authorities expressed their “concern” on Tuesday about the weekend arrest of the Tunisian lawyer and journalist Sonia Dahmani during a live broadcast by a French television network from the headquarters of the Tunisian Bar Association.

The French Foreign Ministry has indicated in a statement that the arrest is part of a series of police accusations that only seek to “arrest for the sake of arrest,” especially “journalists and members of organizations.”

“Freedom of expression and association, as well as judicial independence and the right to free defense are guarantees included in the Tunisian Constitution,” the text states.

Likewise, the French Government has recalled that both Tunisia and France are “subscribed” to the United Nations conventions that seek to protect these rights. The arrest took place after officers stormed the Bar Association headquarters.

According to Tunisian media, Dahmani has been accused of spreading false information and making sarcastic comments about the current situation in the country. The arrest was recorded by the cameras of the France 24 television channel, which had to suspend broadcasting.

In response to the arrest, lawyers have called an indefinite strike in protest. The Bar Association has requested his immediate release and has called for “mobilization to defend the dignity of citizens, their rights and their freedoms.”