🇹🇳TunisiaNorth Africa
Petition supports Chawki Tabib, denounces "instrumentalization of justice
via Business News4 min read
A solidarity petition has been launched in support of Chawki Tabib following the issuance of a detention order against him on April 14, 2026. Signatories express full support for the former president and his family, condemning years of smear campaigns that have culminated in his incarceration. The detention order stems from an investigation by the economic and financial judicial division, which also includes freezing his assets. The public prosecutor's office initiated a judicial inquiry into suspicions of abuse of office by an agent assimilated to a public official, illegal management of public funds, embezzlement, and money laundering. These proceedings are based on audits by the Court of Accounts, which allegedly found irregularities in the management of the National Anti-Corruption Authority, where Chawki Tabib served as president. The petition's initiators believe the legal actions against Chawki Tabib lack "minimal guarantees of justice and fairness," viewing them as political retribution amid increasing pressure on the judiciary and a decline in its independence. Signatories also voice concern over the deterioration of public and individual liberties in Tunisia, rejecting any instrumentalization of justice to restrict opinions or target opponents. The petition demands Chawki Tabib's immediate and unconditional release, the liberation of all political prisoners and prisoners of opinion, and the guarantee of judicial independence. Notable signatories include Business New
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Must ReadA video depicting the assault of sub-Saharan migrants in Tunisia has sparked widespread controversy. The footage shows men entering a residence occupied by migrants, with a visibly distressed, partially undressed pregnant woman pleading with her attackers, while other migrants appear terrified. Individuals can be heard laughing, insulting, and shouting commands like "get them out" in Tunisian dialect. The video's circulation led to outrage online, with many condemning the humiliating acts. However, some publications attempted to discredit the video, claiming it was fabricated to harm Tunisia's image, suggesting it was filmed in Sudan with an added Tunisian soundtrack. These claims were supported by a screenshot of a search result linking the video to a humorous Sudanese content titled "Tamboul Tembelet Belil." A thorough verification of the video, analyzing both visual and audio elements, found no evidence of artificial sound addition; the movements and speech align perfectly. The visual content, showing a crying, shocked pregnant woman and terrified migrants, contradicts any notion of a humorous or festive scene. Furthermore, comparisons confirmed that the video in question is distinct from the Sudanese "Tamboul Tembelet Belil" content. The argument that the video is fake, based on a search result, is a misinterpretation. The verification concludes that the video is not a fabrication, and the images and sound are coherent, depicting a real scene. While the exact date and loc
Must ReadUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky sent an open letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday, June 4, 2026, inviting him to engage in direct negotiations to end more than four years of war between the two countries. Zelensky stated that the conflict, which began with the Russian invasion in February 2022, can only be resolved through high-level dialogue. He proposed a face-to-face meeting in a neutral country, suggesting Switzerland, Turkey, or certain Arab states as potential venues. The Ukrainian head of state also expressed readiness to accept a complete ceasefire for the duration of the negotiations, viewing it as an essential starting point for a lasting peace agreement. He further proposed a full exchange of prisoners of war and discussions on the return of Ukrainian civilians and children transferred to Russia since the conflict began. In his letter, Zelensky criticized Putin's twenty-six years in power, attributing the war to the Russian president's personal choice. He claimed the conflict is increasingly burdening Russian society, which he said faces inflation, fuel shortages, and growing weariness from human losses and economic consequences. The Ukrainian president warned that his country would continue to fight if Moscow refused the diplomatic path, stating, "Ukraine will continue to fight for its existence," while urging Putin to "end this war" before its consequences become irreversible for both nations. This initiative comes as months of mediation
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Must ReadA coalition of civil society organizations, political parties, and associations issued a joint statement on Thursday, June 4, 2026, strongly condemning a video circulating on social media. The video shows individuals entering a migrant family's home and issuing death threats and rape threats against a pregnant woman in front of her husband. The signatories expressed their "anger and indignation" over this "appalling crime," stating that it is part of a broader increase in racist, xenophobic, and discriminatory rhetoric in Tunisia, as well as a rise in violence targeting sub-Saharan African migrants and Black individuals in Tunisia. They believe this aggression cannot be separated from the climate created since the presidential statement of February 21, 2023, on irregular immigration. They argue that this date marked the beginning of a period where migrants became targets of political and media discourse portraying them as a demographic, security, and social threat. The signatories contend that this rhetoric has normalized discrimination and dehumanized migrants, leading to more frequent attacks. They assert that when a group of people is constantly targeted by campaigns of demonization, suspicion, and incitement to hatred, violence against them becomes a predictable consequence. They also denounced the recurring impunity for attacks against migrants, suggesting that the lack of prosecution implies that migrants' lives and dignity are valued less than those of other citizens.