Arrest: from suspension to incarceration and torture
Suspension
In a political maneuver aimed at consolidating power, the Tunisian regime orchestrated the dismissal of the head of the judicial council, appointing a new puppet judge and new members in a completely illegal and undemocratic maneuver. In August 2020, this puppet council decided to dismiss Bechir Akremi from his post as attorney general.
Known for his unwavering belief in the independence of the judiciary, Bechir was actively investigating a corruption case involving one of the council members.
Determined to uphold the law, Judge Bechir Akremi brought the case before the administrative court of Tunis to challenge what was disguised as a promotion. The Judicial Council’s decision to disqualify Bechir from his position, issued on December 31, 2020 under number 214310, was subsequently overturned by the court in favor of Bechir. The court found the dismissal decision illegitimate, influenced by political parties, and considered a deviation from the council’s authority. Despite an appeal, a final decision was made on April 13, 2021 under number 319689, which the council again challenged, only to see the appeal dismissed, making the final decision.
Ordered to reinstate Bashir in his original position, the Judicial Council refused to comply, acting under political protection. Faced with pressure from political parties hostile to Bechir, on July 13, 2021, the Puppet Judicial Council issued a decision to suspend him from his functions and transmit his file to the public prosecutor.
On July 25, 2021, the president abused the same constitution that elected him and suspended the democratic parliament, effectively establishing a dictatorship in Tunisia. Oppression and disrespect for judicial authority and the law persisted beyond this point. Right after the coup on July 29, 2021, the Minister of Interior, with the permission of the President, issued an illegal decision placing Bechir Akremi under house arrest, with the aim of further humiliating and abusing him . This illegal house arrest lasted until the end of September.
The court ruled in favor of Bechir Akremi and overturned the decision on January 20, 2022, under case No. 215183. It rejected the appeal made by the Judicial Council, and the court issued its final decision on June 2, 2022 , under number 320548. The decision rejected the appeal at first instance and upheld the annulment decision, meaning that the decision of the Judicial Council is void. This binding and final decision applies to all parties involved. According to legal definitions, Bechir Akremi should have been reinstated as a judge, but this court order was not respected.
Judgments of the administrative court
The same week that Bechir Akremi received the court’s final decision for his reinstatement, the president issued a presidential decree dismissing 57 judges, including Bechir, in a completely illegal and undemocratic move.
Arrest
A group of around 30 armed police officers, dressed in civilian clothes, forced their way into Bechir Akremi’s home and searched every room. During this process, they insulted Bechir Akremi, confiscated his phone and his sister’s laptop, and stole numerous belongings.
They then took Bechir Akremi away in an unmarked car, using unnecessary force and brutality.
Once in police custody, Bechir Akremi was taken to the anti-terrorism agency where he was subjected to torture and interrogated for 26 hours, tied to a chair. The police unit responsible for his arrest and torture was the same unit that Bechir Akremi had once prosecuted for torture and fabrication.
The arrest was clearly politically motivated, as Bechir Akremi has been a consistent defender of the independence of the judiciary and has faced constant pressure and smear campaigns from the media.
The allegations against Bechir Akremi were baseless, and the judge in the case dismissed them after just five days. However, this judge was later sanctioned for his decision. Rather than release Bechir Akremi, the police, acting on orders from unknown parties, instead forcibly took him to a psychiatric facility, where he was held under false pretenses, without knowledge of his release.
Torture
A very bright light was on and police officers entered his room randomly throughout the night to prevent him from sleeping. This torture continued for 7 days until his condition became very serious, as shown in the videos below.
The allegations against him were baseless, leading to them being dismissed by a judge overseeing the case after just five days. However, this judge faced retaliation for his decision.
Rather than release Judge Akremi, the police, acting on orders from unknown parties, forcibly transferred him to a psychiatric facility under false pretenses. At the hospital, numerous human rights violations took place, ranging from unlawful threats against doctors to surrounding the facility, preventing anyone from entering or leaving for the first day. Rumors that Judge Akremi had attempted suicide circulated, setting the stage for a concerted effort to eliminate him.
Media pressure intensified, eventually gaining access to Judge Akremi’s family to visit him in hospital. The heartbreaking sight of his condition and the deliberate blackout of information inflicted on him revealed the extent of the injustice. In several videos recorded inside the hospital, Judge Akremi, a man with 34 years of judicial experience and an expert in the fight against terrorism, affirmed his mental health and denounced the political conspiracy against him.
