May 16. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The president of Tunisia, Kais Saied, rejected this Thursday the criticism made by the European Union and the United States authorities after the arrest of journalists, lawyers and civil society figures, and pointed out that “no one is above the law”.
“There is no confrontation with the lawyers, as is being said, and what has happened in recent days has nothing to do with the work they do but with those who have dared to insult the country in front of the media,” he said. noted during a meeting with the Minister of Justice, Leila Jafal, after the arrest earlier this week of a well-known lawyer and columnist sparked controversy.
Thus, he has claimed “equality before the law” and has emphasized that “just as the right to litigate is guaranteed, they have the right to defend themselves, as stipulated in the Constitution.” “What has been happening these days is not always related to the profession but to those who are willing to insult and even humiliate their country, in addition to those who violently attack the security forces,” she explained.
“If we do not accept that our country and its symbols are attacked from the outside, then we do not accept that the country is humiliated from the inside,” he clarified before clarifying that all detainees have the right to “humane and dignified treatment,” according to a statement from the Presidency.
Saied has also asked the relevant authorities to summon the ambassadors of France and the United States, among others, to express his formal protest against the criticism received regarding these arrests, which have been increasing significantly over the last year and a half.
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