Two days after publicly criticizing the conduct of the so-called “conspiracy against state security” trial, Tunisian lawyer Ahmed Souab was arrested on Monday, April 21, at his home in Tunis.

The arrest of Ahmed Souab, a respected legal figure and critic of the trial of opposition figures, is striking for its speed and security oversight.

10 security agents arrested him late in the morning, before he was taken to the anti-terrorism judicial centre and placed in police custody for an initial 48 hours.

According to his son, who raised the alarm via social media, his personal belongings were seized, including his phone.

Contacted by the French Newspaper Le Monde, his colleague Ayachi Hammami indicated that he had been unable to contact him, as the lawyer had been transferred after their arrival.

The anti-terrorism prosecution invoked the provisions of the Counterterrorism Act, which allow for the restriction of access to a lawyer during the first hours of police custody and the extension of the period up to 15 days.

A judicial investigation has been opened for a range of “terrorist offenses” and “common law crimes,” according to a spokesperson for the anti-terrorism judicial unit.

This arrest comes amid notable hardening of the stance against certain critics of the current government.

SL/ac/Sf/fss/gik/APA