🇹🇳TunisiaNorth Africa
Civil society organizations denounce political trial against Anas Hmaidi, Tunisian judges' association president
via Business News2 min read
Several civil society organizations have issued a joint statement condemning what they describe as a politically motivated trial against Anas Hmaidi, president of the Tunisian Judges' Association. Hmaidi is scheduled to appear before the criminal chamber of the Tunis Court of First Instance on April 2, 2026, on charges of "obstructing freedom to work." This case stems from his involvement in a judicial strike initiated after the dismissal of 57 judges in June 2022. The signatory organizations believe this legal action is part of a broader campaign to pressure the association and judges committed to judicial independence. They highlight irregularities in the case handling, including repeated transfers between jurisdictions, the closure of the investigation without the defense fully exercising its rights, and an accelerated hearing schedule. The NGOs also link this case directly to the association's efforts to denounce judicial dismissals and advocate for an independent justice system. They criticize a climate marked by what they consider abusive prosecutions, administrative pressures, and smear campaigns against certain judges. The signatories express their support for Anas Hmaidi, calling for the abandonment of the charges against him and an end to pressure on magistrates. They also warn about the implications of this case for public freedoms and the right to a fair trial. The statement was signed by numerous organizations, including the Tunisian League for Human Rights, the
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