The for Freedom for Tunisia Observatory calls on the Tunisian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release lawyer, politician and Ennahdha leader Noureddine Bhiri, whose health condition has seriously deteriorated due to the torture and enforced disappearance he was subjected to during his arrest in late December 2021.
Systematic torture and medical neglect:
On Monday, February 10, 2025, Noureddine Bhiri was transferred to the Rabta Hospital to undergo a series of medical examinations and tests after his breathing difficulties worsened, due to a tear in the membrane of his left lung resulting from the violent assault he was subjected to during his arrest. The medical report issued by the head of the intensive care unit at the Rabta Hospital, in addition to the evaluation of the experts of the medical committee of the National Authority for the Prevention of Torture, confirmed that this injury was the result of severe physical violence during his arrest.
Despite the seriousness of his health condition, the authorities have not taken any measures to hold those responsible for this torture accountable. His defense team has filed a criminal complaint against those involved in the assault, whether by order, execution or planning, but this complaint remains unaddressed in the shelves of the Public Prosecution Office at the Court of First Instance in Tunis, without any serious legal action, according to his lawyer.
“The defense team of political prisoner Nourredine Bhiri filed a criminal complaint for torture against the aggressors, by order, execution, participation and planning, but the criminal complaint remains on the shelves of the Public Prosecution Office at the Court of First Instance in Tunis” Amin Bouker – Bhiri’s lawyer.
Health condition worsens due to deliberate negligence:
Due to the deterioration of his health condition, the medical staff at Rabta Hospital decided to keep Bhiri under medical supervision and subject him to further examinations, while requiring him to use a ventilator at night, which is a dangerous indicator due to the injuries he sustained.
Background of the cases and sentences facing Bhiri:
Noureddine Bhiri, vice president of the Ennahdha movement and former Minister of Justice, is facing a preliminary sentence of ten years in prison on trumped-up charges of “conspiring against state security” and “inciting Tunisians to violence.”
These charges are based on a “fake” Facebook post attributed to him before the revolution anniversary celebrations on January 14, 2023, in which he is said to have called for “taking to the streets.” However, his defense team confirmed, based on independent technical tests, that this post never existed, which proves the false nature of the evidence on which the charge was based.
Arbitrary measures and extrajudicial detention:
This ruling was just the latest in a series of repressive measures targeting Bhiri, who had previously been placed under house arrest on December 31, 2021, without clear formal charges, on suspicion of “illegally obtaining travel documents and granting Tunisian citizenship to individuals accused of terrorism.” Despite the lifting of the house arrest on March 8, 2022, Bhiri remained subject to politically motivated prosecutions and was subsequently re-arrested and imprisoned.
The Freedom Observatory for Tunisia calls on the Tunisian authorities to:
Immediately and unconditionally release Noureddine Bhiri, who faces unfair sentences and fabricated charges.
Conduct an independent and transparent judicial investigation into the torture he was subjected to, hold all those involved accountable without delay or complicity, and ensure that they are brought to justice.
Ensure that Bhiri receives the necessary medical care immediately, and put an end to the policy of medical neglect against political detainees.
Stop using the judiciary as a tool to suppress political opponents, and ensure fair and independent trials.
What Noureddine Bhiri was subjected to is not an isolated case, but rather reflects an escalating pattern of political repression, in the form of arbitrary arrests, unfair trials, torture, and deliberate medical neglect inside prisons.
The Freedom for Tunisia Observatory warns that continued impunity for perpetrators of violations will lead to a further deterioration of the human rights situation in Tunisia, and calls on the international community to communicate with the Tunisian authorities to ensure respect for international laws related to the protection of detainees.
