Conviction of Ben Ali critic draws fire

TUNIS, Tunisia, Nov. 26 (UPI) -- Amnesty International Thursday condemned the conviction of a vocal opponent of Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.

The non-governmental organization said Taoufik Ben Brik, an outspoken journalist, received a six-month prison sentence in the Tunis Court of First Instance on "trumped-up" charges after an unfair trial.

"Taoufik Ben Brik should not have been prosecuted, let alone convicted and sentenced to a prison term, said Malcolm Smart, Amnesty International's Middle East and North director. "Today's verdict raises serious questions about the independence and integrity of the judicial process in Tunisia. The president now needs to step in and order Taoufik Ben Brik's immediate and unconditional release."

Ben Brik was convicted of committing violence, damaging property, harming public morality and defamation in connection with an alleged attack on a woman.

The BBC said Ben Brik and several rights groups have maintained Tunisian authorities orchestrated the charges and the journalist's October arrest. Ben Brik believes the charges have been manufactured because of his criticism of the government, Amnesty said.

Amnesty International said lawyers for Ben Brik, who has 10 days to appeal Thursday's ruling, were not allowed to cross-examine witnesses for the prosecution during the trial or to fully present their defense case.