Tunisian Activist Jailed For 'insulting' Police While Lodging Complaint
Umer Jamshaid Published March 05, 2021 | 12:11 AM
A Tunisian gay rights and democracy activist was sentenced to six months in prison for insulting officers as she tried to lodge a complaint over police intimidation, her lawyer said Thursday
Tunis, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 4th Mar, 2021 ) :A Tunisian gay rights and democracy activist was sentenced to six months in prison for insulting officers as she tried to lodge a complaint over police intimidation, her lawyer said Thursday.
Rania Amdouni, a 26-year-old LGBT rights campaigner often seen at pro-democracy protests, has been the target of a smear campaign by police unions after taking part in protests against police repression in January.
Her photo has been repeatedly posted on social media, particularly by police unions, accompanied by degrading comments and personal information including her address.
Officers confiscated her identity card and targeted her with homophobic insults last August in central Tunis, prompting other protesters to attack her, according to her lawyer Amine Hadiji.
Amdouni complained against the police, who launched an internal investigation which heard evidence from her last month.
But despite legal efforts, "nobody else has been summoned to give evidence, neither witnesses nor the accused, and the court is refusing to share CCTV images" that could establish the truth, said Hadiji.
"The insults and intimidation were happening every day, she was at the end of her nerves," he said.
After receiving a new round of insults on Saturday evening, Amdouni went to complain at a police station -- where she was arrested.
She now faces six months in prison for insulting a state official, plus a nine Dinar (three euro) fine for drunkenness, Hadiji said.
"This ruling will muzzle the youth," said activist Badr Baabou of rights group Damj, in which Amdouni is an active member.
"It's a message to everyone who protests or speaks out against police abuses, to shut them up."Tunisia's 2011 revolution sparked major advances in terms of freedom of expression and political freedoms.
But the police and justice systems have faced few reforms.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Israel carries out attack inside Iran, report US media
Saudi Assistant Minister of Defence calls on army chief
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 19 April 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 19 April 2024
Rock-solid Ruud racks up season-leading win in Barcelona
At UN, Iran says it will make Israel 'regret' reprisals
G7 hears calls for 'critical' Ukraine aid
EU seeks to leverage might to confront China, US challenge
5 Customs officials martyred as their vehicle ambushed by terrorists in D I Khan
Pak-New Zealand match called off due to rain
NHA restores traffic on roads affected by recent rains in Balochistan
China to fully support Pakistan's efforts against terrorism: Ambassador Jiang
More Stories From World
-
Ukraine says eight killed in overnight Russian strikes
4 minutes ago -
Meta releases beefed-up AI models
14 minutes ago -
Ukraine says downed Russian long-range strategic bomber
14 minutes ago -
Israel carries out attack inside Iran, report US media
16 minutes ago -
IAEA says 'no damage to Iran's nuclear sites'
34 minutes ago -
The flamenco dress, an Andalusian classic evolving with fashion
44 minutes ago
-
Taylor Swift's 'The Tortured Poets Department' drops
44 minutes ago -
Tokyo's Nikkei drops over 1,000 points, most in 3 years
44 minutes ago -
Alternate jurors to be confirmed at Trump trial
54 minutes ago -
Ambassador Munir Akram discusses issues on UN agenda with Iran's top diplomat
54 minutes ago -
New Zealand ram put down after death of elderly couple
1 hour ago -
Three killed, 20 injured in Russian strikes on southern Ukraine
1 hour ago