The “Tunisia, land of asylum” case awaiting decision

The legal case targeting officials of the association “Tunisia, land of asylum”, prosecuted for money laundering in connection with the assistance provided to sub-Saharan migrants, is entering a waiting phase. The court chose to postpone its verdict after hearing the parties.

The Criminal Chamber at the Court of First Instance of Tunis has decided to deliberate the case relating to the association “Tunisia, land of asylum”, following a hearing devoted to the examination of requests for release and the organization of the rest of the procedure. The final decision is now expected at a future meeting, the date of which remains to be fixed.

Association leaders and a former elected official concerned

During the hearing held today before the Criminal Chamber, the debates focused mainly on the requests for release presented by the defense as well as on the procedural aspects linked to the continuation of the judicial investigation. At the end of the discussions, the Court decided to put the case under advisement, without immediately ruling on the requests submitted.

The date of the next hearing, during which the court could render its decision or continue examining the merits, has not yet been announced.

The case concerns the former president of the “Tunisia, land of asylum” association Sherifa Riahi, the current president, Yadh Bousselmi, several of its members, as well as a former mayor of the city of Sousse. Some of the accused are currently detained, while others appear free, according to the file.

The proceedings are part of an investigation into the activities of the association and its links with the care of sub-Saharan migrants in Tunisia.

Money laundering charges

The defendants are charged with alleged acts of money laundering, which the prosecution links to operations of support, accommodation and installation of sub-Saharan migrants on Tunisian territory.

The persons concerned contest the charges against them, according to their lawyers, who denounce a criminal interpretation of activities of an associative and humanitarian nature.

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