Against mega bail: boss of the critical broadcaster Mosaique FM released

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As the private broadcaster Mosaique FM announced on Wednesday, Noureddine Boutar has been released on bail worth around 300,000 euros after more than three months in prison.

The journalist is being investigated, among other things, on suspicion of money laundering. Critics see the arrest as yet another attempt to undermine press freedom in the country. Boutar was given a travel ban.

Security forces arrested the journalist in mid-February. According to the organization Reporters Without Borders (RSF), the director of the channel was first questioned about his “editorial decisions”. There was no warrant for his arrest. The private broadcaster is known for also allowing critics of Tunisian president Kais Saied to speak.

Saied continues to expand his power in the country, including with a controversial constitution. He also dissolved the country’s parliament and elected a new, significantly weakened parliament. A number of critics, including judges and opposition politicians, were arrested. Among other things, they are accused of corruption.

Observers have long feared freedom of the press and freedom of expression in the North African country, once a pioneer in the Arab world. A few days ago, the police also arrested two students after they published a satirical song about the Tunisian security forces on the internet. The trial against the men has since been halted. The president had publicly questioned the arrests of the two. There was already a wave of solidarity with the students on social media.

Last week, a Mosaique FM journalist was sentenced to five years in prison. He would have disclosed information about the work of the security services, including wiretaps.

(SDA)

Source: Blick