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Tunisia jails dissident reporter | Tunisia jails dissident reporter |
(about 7 hours later) | |
A prominent critic of Tunisian leader President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali has been jailed for six months after a trial criticised by rights groups. | A prominent critic of Tunisian leader President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali has been jailed for six months after a trial criticised by rights groups. |
Taoufik Ben Brik was convicted of assaulting a woman in public. | Taoufik Ben Brik was convicted of assaulting a woman in public. |
But he claimed he had been framed and Amnesty International has described him as a "prisoner of conscience" and condemned his sentence. | |
President Ben Ali, in power for 22 years, tolerates little dissent, though officials deny inventing the charges. | President Ben Ali, in power for 22 years, tolerates little dissent, though officials deny inventing the charges. |
The 49-year-old journalist was said to be ill and in need of medical treatment after his arrest in October. | The 49-year-old journalist was said to be ill and in need of medical treatment after his arrest in October. |
As well as criticism from rights groups and media organisations, the French government also expressed concern over his arrest. | As well as criticism from rights groups and media organisations, the French government also expressed concern over his arrest. |
French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner urged his release so he could receive treatment. | French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner urged his release so he could receive treatment. |
But according to Reuters news agency, Mr Ben Ali responded in a speech earlier this month by attacking "foreign interference" in Tunisia's internal affairs. | But according to Reuters news agency, Mr Ben Ali responded in a speech earlier this month by attacking "foreign interference" in Tunisia's internal affairs. |
"This is a very disappointing outcome", said Malcolm Smart, Middle East and North Director at Amnesty International. | |
"Taoufik Ben Brik should not have been prosecuted, let alone convicted and sentenced to a prison term. | |
"Taoufik Ben Brik has been convicted on politically-motivated charges for exercising his right to freedom of expression." | |
Amnesty says the journalist's lawyers have been prevented from visiting him since 19 November. | |
The group says he was not taken to court to hear the sentence, which was handed to him in writing. |
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