Journalist's one-year jail term upheld on appeal in “political decision”

Reporters Without Borders is dismayed to learn that journalist Slim Boukhdir's one-year prison sentence for “insulting behaviour towards an official in the exercise of his duty,” “violating decency” and “refusing to produce identity papers” was confirmed today on appeal by a court in Sakiet Ezzit, on the outskirts of Sfax (231 km south of Tunis). “The determination of the Tunisian authorities to hound this journalist knows no limits,” the press freedom organisation said. “Boukhdir has had to endure appalling prison conditions since his arrest and now he must serve a long sentence on entirely trumped-up charges. The judges turned a deaf ear to the arguments of the defence and took a political decision.” Reporters Without Borders added: “As we did when human rights lawyer Mohammed Abbou was jailed, we will tirelessly mobilise all our energies to protest against this journalist's imprisonment and seek his release.” The court upheld the one-year sentence that was passed on 4 December. In today's hearing, Boukhdir was represented by a dozen lawyers, who condemned the court's “severe ruling.” The correspondent of the London-based Al Quds Al Arabi newspaper and the Al-Arabiya TV station's website, Boukhdir was arrested on the outskirts of Sfax on 26 November after an argument with policemen who were following him. He has repeatedly been harassed by his cell-mates in Sfax prison. On the same subject: - 4.12.2007: Journalist sentenced to a year in prison on trumped-up charges - 28.11.2007: Judge orders journalist detained until trial