Arrest warrant issued for Chawki Tabib without interrogation, Tunisian Bar Association denounces irregularities

The National Bar Association of Tunisia strongly condemned this decision, citing procedural irregularities and a violation of fair trial guarantees. According to the Bar Association, Tabib voluntarily appeared before the investigating judge, accompanied by the president of the Bar, Boubaker Belthabet, members of the Council, the president of the Tunis section, and a team of lawyers, despite not receiving a personal summons. A request to postpone the hearing to allow the defense to review the case and prepare was denied, and the arrest warrant was issued before any interrogation.

The Bar Association described the decision as "hasty" and an attack on the principle of presumption of innocence. They also denounced what they called a "persistent targeting" of defense rights and the excessive use of arrest warrants. The Tunisian Association of Young Lawyers also expressed concern, highlighting violations of fair trial guarantees and the principle of presumption of innocence.

Avocats sans frontières expressed solidarity with Tabib, who is also the former president of the National Anti-Corruption Authority, and condemned what they termed "judicial harassment." A judicial source indicated that the arrest warrant was accompanied by a freeze on Tabib's assets and financial holdings. The public prosecutor's office has opened a ju