The Court of Appeal of the Gabes Court of Appeal rendered, last night, the judgments concerning the accused in the so -called Ain Skhouna case, which occurred on December 12, 2020.
The judgments were made late on the night of Thursday, November 30, 2023, by the Court of Appeal of the Gabes court, which confirmed the death penalty pronounced on March 14, 2023 against two accused for murder with premeditation, one of which is currently in detention and the second still on the run.
On March 14, 2023, the Gabès court of first instance had sentenced five accused to capital punishment and a sixth in absentia, and to the perpetuity imprisonment of a seventh defendant.
Yesterday, the Court of Appeal canceled the death penalty pronounced against four accused, which was released in a 20 -year prison sentence. Prison sentences were also pronounced against seven other accused, ranging from 4 to 8 years’ imprisonment.
Back to the facts
On December 12, 2020, clashes between two “tribes” in the south of the country had cost three people and caused more than 60 injured. Security and military reinforcements had been dispatched to the scene to avoid climbing.
The clashes due to a “land dispute” broke out in the region of Ain Skhouna between inhabitants of Douz (governorate of Kébili) and Béni Khedech (governorate of Médenine).
14 deposit mandates
The President of the Republic, Kais Saied, had even moved, on December 14, 2020 in the Ain Skhouna region, located between the governorates of Medenine and Kébili.
In February 2021, the investigating judge of the Médenine Court of First Instance had issued 14 deposit mandates against seven people, two terms per person, in the context of the investigation into the murders of Hedi Kardaoui, Salah Yahiaoui and Naoufel Saadaoui during these clashes.
Deposit warrants issued for murder with premeditation and holding of firearm without a license carrying twelve the number of accused.
Death penalty
On March 14, 2023, the verdicts were pronounced in this case of violence and the exchange of fire. Justice had sentenced five accused to capital penalty while a sixth was also sentenced to death in absentia.
An accused seventh had received life imprisonment. The other accused were sentenced to sentences ranging from one to eight years in prison. A dismissal was also pronounced.
