Tunisian lawyers have declared a regional general strike across all major courts in response to the arrest of lawyer Sondos Al-Dahmani.
The arrest, executed on Saturday by Tunisian police under a warrant issued by the First Investigative Judge of the Tunis Primary Court, stemmed from Al-Dahmani’s statements during a television program which was deemed offensive to the country and state.
During the program on the private local channel “Carthage+,” which discussed the crisis of illegal immigrants in Tunisia, Al-Dahmani sarcastically remarked, “Look at this great country,” in response to another political commentator who defended the notion that African migrants wish to settle in Tunisia.
Her statement quickly spread on social media and was widely regarded as derogatory toward the nation.
In reaction to Al-Dahmani’s detention, Aroussi Zaqir, the head of the regional lawyers’ branch in Tunis, announced “a regional general strike starting from Monday, May 13, with work cessation at all major Tunis courts beginning the same day,” according to the Tunisian News Agency (TAP).
Zaqir, in a statement read during a press conference at the Lawyers’ House on Saturday evening, called for Al-Dahmani’s immediate release. Meanwhile, Mohamed Zeitouna, spokesperson for the Tunis Primary Court, confirmed that the arrest warrant against Al-Dahmani was executed on Saturday evening.
Zeitouna emphasized that “the public prosecution wants to clarify that the officers responsible for executing the arrest warrant did so respecting its content and enforcing it on the ground for proper law enforcement and effective ongoing investigations,” as reported by Tunisian radio station “Mosaïque FM.”
He also ensured that all legal procedures were respected during the process.
