In flagrant violation of the Criminal Procedure Code, the Court has rejected the defense’s request to postpone the hearing and had delivered its verdict without pleading, while the defense had prestented the medical documents proving that Fahem Boukaddous is currently hospitalized in Farhat Hached’s Pneumology Service in Sousse and his condition does not allow him to move.
During the hearing, the police had surrounded the courthouse and prohibited the access to journalists and local observers.
The day before the lawsuit, on July 5, the police had put pressure on an intern of the hospital who had taken advantage from the absence of the physician and his department chief to sign the release of Fahem Boukaddous; but due to his protests and the department chief arrival, the patient was returned to intensive care. His doctor had confirmed that his condition do not allow him to withstand travel to Gafsa to attend his lawsuit.
From his hospital bed, Fahem Boukaddous stated to OLPEC: "The police can come at anytime to pull me out from my bed and put me into their inhuman jails, I can only suffer stoically from this sentence issued by a compliant judicial system, but my life is in danger and they can lead me to death! "
Observatory
- Consider that it is once again a political based lawsuit that punishes ordinary journalistic activity, protected by the Tunisian and international laws.
- Condemns this unfair sentence delivered after a lawsuit without any pleading and demands its cancellation.
- Make the Tunisian authorities assume any fatal development that can affect the health and life of Fahem Boukaddous.
Sihem Bensedrine
Secretary general
