A Tunisian judge has ordered the detention of all individuals arrested in connection with the sexual assault and rape of a 16-year-old girl in the Mellassine neighborhood. The suspects, including two young girls, a nurse, the brother of one of the main suspects, and the owner of the house, will face detailed interrogations on October 7. The case has garnered significant attention and sparked debate on social media about the death penalty.
According to reports, the victim, who had gone missing on September 19, was found and hospitalized in a critical condition. Medical examinations confirmed that she had been raped. The investigation revealed that the assault occurred on September 19 and 20, involving violence, coercion, and substance abuse. A phone was seized, allegedly used to film the assault.
The victim had left her family home on September 19, telling her mother she was going to a café. When her mother lost contact, she alerted authorities. Two main suspects, both young men, were placed on the wanted list, along with several others, bringing the total to seven people since September 24.
A nurse was arrested along with a close associate of one of the main suspects, with both suspected of concealing the crime or participating in it. Further arrests followed, including a 14-year-old girl, a friend of the victim, who was taken into custody. The family claimed that a girl had lured the victim to the location, but investigators have not publicly confirmed this.
On September 30, two new suspects, aged 17 and 28, were apprehended by Sijoumi units, suspected of assaulting security agents. A woman appeared in court, and on Thursday, a 22-year-old woman was placed in custody with the prosecutor's authorization. Two separate investigations are underway, one for the sexual assault and another for violence against security forces.
The case has sparked widespread outrage and reignited debates on social media about the death penalty. The authorities have assured that they are working to ensure the victim's physical and psychological well-being before proceeding with confrontations. The detailed interrogations are set for October 7.
The Tunisian authorities have made significant progress in the case, with all suspects now in detention. The investigations are ongoing, and the authorities are working to piece together the events surrounding the assault. The case highlights the need for continued efforts to address violence against women and children in Tunisia.
Key points
- All suspects in the Mellassine rape case have been detained.
- Medical examinations confirmed that the 16-year-old girl had been raped.
- Two separate investigations are underway, one for the sexual assault and another for violence against security forces.
