The Tunisian National Journalists' Union has strongly condemned the "targeting" of a news team from the website "Nawaat", citing the dangers of luring and interrogating journalists. According to a statement released by the union, the journalists were summoned by a person claiming to be an employee of a delivery company, who informed them of a package requiring payment. The journalists were then taken to a location, where they were met by plainclothes security agents.
The journalists were asked to get into the car without causing a scene, and were subsequently transported to the Central Brigade in El Aouina. There, they were subjected to verbal abuse by some agents, before being questioned as part of an investigation into participants in a pro-Palestinian march that took place on Saturday. The union has expressed concern over the handling of the situation, particularly with regards to the journalists' phones and digital conversations.
The union has warned of the risks of accessing journalists' phones and digital data without legal guarantees, as this information may include confidential sources and professional secrets. The union has called on the Interior Ministry to launch an administrative investigation into the alleged misconduct by its agents and to shed light on the circumstances surrounding the procedures that targeted the "Nawaat" team.
The incident has raised concerns about the treatment of journalists in Tunisia, with the union demanding that the judiciary open an urgent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident and determine those responsible. The union has also threatened to take further action if the journalists are not protected and if such incidents continue to occur.
According to the union, the journalists were forced to remain silent about the abuses they suffered, and were threatened with further action if they spoke out about the incident. The union has expressed solidarity with the journalists and has pledged to support them in their quest for justice.
The incident has sparked widespread criticism of the authorities, with many expressing concern about the erosion of press freedom in Tunisia. The union has called on the authorities to respect the rights of journalists and to ensure that they are able to carry out their work without fear of reprisal or intimidation.
The Tunisian National Journalists' Union has reiterated its commitment to defending the rights of journalists and promoting press freedom in the country. The union has urged the authorities to take concrete steps to protect journalists and to ensure that such incidents do not recur in the future.
Key points
- The Tunisian National Journalists' Union has condemned the luring and interrogation of a news team from the website "Nawaat".
