The criminal chamber of the court of first instance of Tunis has ruled on one of the key procedural aspects of the case linked to the death of former MP Jilani Daboussi. All requests for release made by the accused were rejected, while the trial was adjourned for a later hearing.
Tunisian justice continues to examine the Jilani Daboussi case. During the hearing devoted to the case, the criminal chamber decided to keep all of the defendants prosecuted in this case in detention. The court also set a new date for the resumption of the proceedings, pending the completion of certain civil procedures.
Continued detention of the main accused
The court rejected the requests for release filed for the benefit of several defendants, including Noureddine Bhiri, former Minister of Justice, Monther Lounissi, leader of the Ennahdha movement, as well as a former doctor from the Mornaguia civil prison.
The decision also concerns a former attorney general at the Tunis Court of Appeal, now retired. All therefore remain subject to legal proceedings initiated in this case.
In addition to rejecting the release requests, the criminal chamber decided to postpone the examination of the case until a hearing set for December 26. This referral comes following the appearance of the victim’s son in court.
The latter presented his father’s death certificate and requested additional time in order to finalize the procedures related to the civil action initiated in the case.
Heavy and multiple accusations
The defendants are being prosecuted for several serious charges, including attempted premeditated murder, torture and ill-treatment inflicted by a public official in the exercise of his duties.
The file also includes accusations of voluntary abstention from carrying out a legal act, as well as participation in these facts, placing this case at the heart of the debates on the criminal and institutional responsibilities linked to the death of the former deputy.
