Tunisia denies appeal on raped woman

2012-12-03 22:26

Tunisian women shout slogans during a protest calling for the respect of women's rights and other fundamental rights in Tunis. (AFP)

Tunis - An adviser to Tunisia's justice minister on Monday denied that the public prosecution had appealed against a court ruling to drop a case of possible indecency against a young woman allegedly raped by policemen.

Fadhel Saihi told AFP "the prosecution made no such appeal," denying remarks made earlier by the woman's lawyer and a justice ministry spokesperson.

"We just found out this morning that the prosecution has lodged an appeal," defence attorney Bochra Belhaj Hmida had told AFP and justice ministry spokesperson Adel Riahi later confirmed her remarks.

A Tunis judge last Thursday dropped the case against the woman, whose identity has been kept secret, while two accused officers are to face rape charges and a third for extortion.

- AFP