Tunisian blog dissident Zouhair Yahyaoui's case returns to court

Posted by MacDood
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Zouhair Yahyaoui is a 35-year-old Tunisian blogger and journalist who's currently serving a two-year jail term -- under what supporters describe as extremely harsh, inhumane conditions -- for criticizing the Tunisian government on his website. His case returns to the highest Tunisian court this Friday, July 11. Supporters are hoping for a new investigation of his case, saying that the original trial was unjustly conducted, serving effectively as a state formality before imprisoning him for political reasons. The jailed blogger recently engaged in a hunger strike that lasted over 35 days, and last month was awarded first "Cyber-Freedom Prize" by Reporters without Borders, which works to raise awareness about human rights abuses against journalists around the world.

Fiance and campaign organizer Sophie Elwarda tells BoingBoing:

"Following on from the information communicated by his solicitor Mr Abdelwahab Mataar, who was representing him, Zouhair Yahyaoui's case will pass in front of the highest court this Wednesday 11th July at 9.00 am.
The highest court will investigate the file to determine if the tribunal has done there job correctly of not. And they will therefore evaluate the manner in which this justice has been delivered. There are currently 2 possibilities, confirmation or cassation, if the judgement is confirmed, that would indicate the end of any judiciary proceedings, in case of cassation the affair will again go before the court of appeal for a new
investigation."

Link to RSF website with more information about Yahyaoui's case and the Cyber-Freedom Prize, Link to Yahyaoui's "Tunezine" blog (now a "Free Zouhair" support website), More background, previous BB post (1), (2). Discuss [Boing Boing]