A former Tunisian deputy, a virulent critic of President Kais Saied, was sentenced by a military court to five months in prison for insulting police officers, his lawyer told AFP on Tuesday May 17.
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Seifeddine Makhlouf, leader of Al-Karama, an Islamo-nationalist party, was prosecuted by military justice for these facts dating back to March 2021 after losing his parliamentary immunity following the coup by President Kais Saied which froze the Parliament in July before dissolving it.
"Offence on the dignity of the army"
Found guilty of insulting police officers at Tunis-Carthage international airport, he was sentenced to five months in prison by the Tunis military court of first instance, which delivered its judgment on Monday evening, said his to AFP his lawyer, Me Anouar Ouled Ali.
Seifeddine Makhlouf appealed against this conviction, according to the same source.
Six other people, including three members of this political formation, were sentenced to terms ranging from three to six months in prison in this case, added Me Ouled Ali.
On September 22, 2021, military justice had already arrested this former deputy, for "
undermining the dignity of the army
" after an argument with judges of a military court.
Read alsoIn Tunisia, the president's coup against the judiciary
He was released "
under judicial supervision
" in January 2022. Local and international NGOs have denounced the legal proceedings brought against civilians by military courts, noting that they have intensified since the coup by President Kais Said.
