After the iniquitous and absurd convictions in the so-called "plot against state security" case, which cost several political activists their freedom, a case unique in Tunisia's history - not only for the severity of the sentences ranging from 13 to 66 years in prison, but also for the lack of evidence, material elements and credible witnesses - the harassment against these prisoners and their families continues. The defense and human rights organizations see this case as a grave precedent in the history of political trials.
Kamel Letaïef (sentenced to 66 years' imprisonment) and Noureddine Bhiri (sentenced to 43 years' imprisonment) were transferred to Borj El Amri prison, Issam Chebbi to Borj Erroumi, 30 km south-west of Tunis. Mr Ghazi Chaouachi (sentenced to 18 years) was transferred to El-Nadhour prison, 77 km away, while Mr Ridha Belhaj (sentenced to 18 years) was moved to Siliana prison, 130 km from the capital.
In addition to the prolonged persecution of these prisoners, who have been incarcerated for over 27 months, their families will now have to travel several times a week for visits and food ("la qoffa"), adding to their suffering. Lawyers will also have to travel long distances to defend them.
Why is a regime that incarcerated them even though it knew they were innocent of the conspiracy charge, and that had fabricated the charges against them, so determined to punish them further and take revenge on them? This is yet another attempt to create a climate of fear and terror, and to kill off all political life in the country once and for all.
This same authoritarian and vindictive logic is behind the prison sentences handed down to three young people from Gabès - Dali Rtimi (unemployed graduate, sentenced to 4 months), Moez Rajhi (high school student, sentenced to 2 months) and Anis Chtouna (high school student, minor, sentenced to 2 months) - for demonstrating against the asphyxiation caused by toxic chemicals, demanding their right to a healthy environment.
The current situation in Tunisia, marked by ferocious repression of freedoms and a policy of reprisals against political militants and activists, constitutes a dangerous turning point and a definitive break with the gains of the decade of democratic transition.
The Comité pour le Respect des Libertés et des Droits de l'Homme en Tunisie (CRLDHT), while strongly condemning this upsurge in repression and the relentless attack on political prisoners and activists, calls on all democratic and active forces in Tunisia to redouble their solidarity and unity in order to regain the initiative against the ruling power, restore democracy and freedoms, and build a new Tunisia for all, based on justice, freedom and tolerance.
