Tunisia – Journalist kidnapped and beaten in brutal attack, another arrested – IFEX
(IPI/IFEX) – Vienna, 29 October 2009 – The International Press Institute (IPI) strongly condemns the kidnapping and beating of journalist Slim Boukhdhir on Wednesday night in Tunis and the arrest on Thursday morning of renowned journalist and government critic Taoufik Ben Brik.
Ben Brik had previously endured detentions and been prevented from travelling outside of Tunisia. He was arrested for allegedly attacking a woman. Local sources told IPI that he remains in detention and is scheduled to appear before a judge tomorrow.
Slim Boukhdhir was kidnapped by four men in civilian clothing while on his way home. After forcing him into a car, the attackers brought Boukhdhir to the largest park in Tunis and beat him severely, threatening him with a knife and warning him that if he did not stay away from “that woman” he would be killed.
A passerby helped Boukhdhir into a taxi, which he took to the home of Naziha Rjiba, vice president of the Tunis-based Observatory for the Freedom of the Press, Publishing and Creation (OLPEC) and an editor of the online magazine Kalima.
via Journalist kidnapped and beaten in brutal attack, another arrested – IFEX.
