Tunisian Court imposes gag order on media reports on ongoing cases of “plots against State security”

The spokesman of Tunis Court of appeal Habib Torkhani confirmed Thursday the decision by the judge of counter-terrorism Court to ban media coverage of an investigation into “plotting against State security” cases in which several political figures have been arrested.

The first investigating judge of office no. 36 of the court’s department for Combating Terrorism has decided to ban debate and media coverage of two cases of plotting against State security, “Business News” reports.

Hanen Gueddes, the spokesperson for the department had said in June that the ban targeted audiovisual media and that the decision is meant to guarantee the smooth running of the investigation and the confidentiality of the proceedings, as well as to protect the personal data of the individuals concerned.

Around twenty opponents and leading figures from the business and media worlds have been arrested since February, and indicted for “plotting against State security”.

The arrests and detentions have been branded scheme by President Kais Saied to muzzle critics.

Thursday, June 13, dozens of protestors and relatives of the detainees gathered outside the Court of Appeal in Tunis and called for their release.