Tunisia’s Young Democracy Stumbles Under Terror Threat
The seven men spent a week in a Tunisian prison on terrorism charges, suffering what they claim was torture under custody, before a judge released them for lack of evidence. But as they stepped out of the courthouse in early August
FILE - In this March 20, 2015 file photo, a man places a Tunisian flag onto a police car as a policeman stands guard during a demonstration two days after gunmen attacked the museum and killed scores of people in Tunis, Tunisia. Seven men spent a week in prison on terrorism charges, suffering what they claim was torture under custody, before a judge released them for lack of evidence. But as they stepped out of the courthouse in early August, plainclothes policemen swooped in and spirited them away. AP Photo/Christophe Ena, File
TUNIS, Tunisia—The seven men spent a week in a Tunisian prison on terrorism charges, suffering what they claim was torture under custody, before a judge released them for lack of evidence. But as they stepped out of the courthouse in early August, plainclothes policemen swooped in and spirited them away.
After their lawyers protested, Justice Minister Salah Benaissa told local radio that arresting suspects without a warrant was now permissible because of the new war on terror: “There is an agreement between the ministry and the security forces,” he said, “that allows them to act against terrorism without previous authorization.”
