٠٠:٠٢:٢٧Hundreds of lawyers and activists gathered in front of the Court of First Instance in the capital Tunis, against the detention of two of their colleagues, demanding their immediate release, as the lawyers' union has declared a one-day national public strike.
Footage shows protesters chanting 'Down with the executioner of the people, down with the police rule', the attorneys also carried banners that read, 'No fear, no terror. Power belongs to the people'.
"We are angry, and we will remain angry, and we will go on until our message is heard by everyone including the authority, the judiciary, the prosecution and the Ministry of Interior," The head of the Tunisian Bar Association, Hatem Meziou, said.
"As attorneys, we are here to defend gains, to defend the rights of Tunisians, to defend every oppressed. No, to violate procedures, not to violate the law, we agree on accountability, but in legal form, and without abuse," Youssef Beji, a member of the Young Lawyers Association, stated.
The Tunisian Order of Lawyers accused security forces of storming its HQ and detaining one female lawyer and two journalists and later arresting lawyer Mehdi Zagrouba. The Tunisian authorities have yet to officially comment on the raid at the time of publication.
Tunisian newspaper Al-Shorouk reported that the raid came after a subpoena was issued by the investigative judge at the Court of First Instance in Tunis, without providing further details.
According to media reports, Saniyah Al-Dahmani, the detained lawyer, sought refuge at the Order’s HQ on Friday after she was prosecuted for making a statement criticizing President Kais Saied.
Saied took office in 2019. Two years later, he dismissed the government and dissolved the parliament, in a move the opposition has called 'a coup'.
Tunisia’s Election Commission has said that elections will take place when the president’s first five-year term ends this year but has yet to provide an official date.
'Power belongs to the people' - Hundreds rally in Tunis against lawyers' arrest, demand immediate release
Hundreds of lawyers and activists gathered in front of the Court of First Instance in the capital Tunis, against the detention of two of their colleagues, demanding their immediate release, as the lawyers' union has declared a one-day national public strike.
Footage shows protesters chanting 'Down with the executioner of the people, down with the police rule', the attorneys also carried banners that read, 'No fear, no terror. Power belongs to the people'.
"We are angry, and we will remain angry, and we will go on until our message is heard by everyone including the authority, the judiciary, the prosecution and the Ministry of Interior," The head of the Tunisian Bar Association, Hatem Meziou, said.
"As attorneys, we are here to defend gains, to defend the rights of Tunisians, to defend every oppressed. No, to violate procedures, not to violate the law, we agree on accountability, but in legal form, and without abuse," Youssef Beji, a member of the Young Lawyers Association, stated.
The Tunisian Order of Lawyers accused security forces of storming its HQ and detaining one female lawyer and two journalists and later arresting lawyer Mehdi Zagrouba. The Tunisian authorities have yet to officially comment on the raid at the time of publication.
Tunisian newspaper Al-Shorouk reported that the raid came after a subpoena was issued by the investigative judge at the Court of First Instance in Tunis, without providing further details.
According to media reports, Saniyah Al-Dahmani, the detained lawyer, sought refuge at the Order’s HQ on Friday after she was prosecuted for making a statement criticizing President Kais Saied.
Saied took office in 2019. Two years later, he dismissed the government and dissolved the parliament, in a move the opposition has called 'a coup'.
Tunisia’s Election Commission has said that elections will take place when the president’s first five-year term ends this year but has yet to provide an official date.
Hundreds of lawyers and activists gathered in front of the Court of First Instance in the capital Tunis, against the detention of two of their colleagues, demanding their immediate release, as the lawyers' union has declared a one-day national public strike.
Footage shows protesters chanting 'Down with the executioner of the people, down with the police rule', the attorneys also carried banners that read, 'No fear, no terror. Power belongs to the people'.
"We are angry, and we will remain angry, and we will go on until our message is heard by everyone including the authority, the judiciary, the prosecution and the Ministry of Interior," The head of the Tunisian Bar Association, Hatem Meziou, said.
"As attorneys, we are here to defend gains, to defend the rights of Tunisians, to defend every oppressed. No, to violate procedures, not to violate the law, we agree on accountability, but in legal form, and without abuse," Youssef Beji, a member of the Young Lawyers Association, stated.
The Tunisian Order of Lawyers accused security forces of storming its HQ and detaining one female lawyer and two journalists and later arresting lawyer Mehdi Zagrouba. The Tunisian authorities have yet to officially comment on the raid at the time of publication.
Tunisian newspaper Al-Shorouk reported that the raid came after a subpoena was issued by the investigative judge at the Court of First Instance in Tunis, without providing further details.
According to media reports, Saniyah Al-Dahmani, the detained lawyer, sought refuge at the Order’s HQ on Friday after she was prosecuted for making a statement criticizing President Kais Saied.
Saied took office in 2019. Two years later, he dismissed the government and dissolved the parliament, in a move the opposition has called 'a coup'.
Tunisia’s Election Commission has said that elections will take place when the president’s first five-year term ends this year but has yet to provide an official date.