TUNIS, Tunisia, Aug. 29 (UPI) -- Human Rights Watch said Thursday it was concerned by the alleged mistreatment of a suspect in the assassination of Tunisian opposition leader Chokri Belaid.
The rights organization called on Tunisian authorities to probe alleged mistreatment at its Mornaguia prison. One off the prisoners, Mohamed Amine Guesmi, was tied to the February assassination of opposition leader Chokri Belaid.
"Even if the Tunisian authorities are under pressure over high-profile killings, they still can't abuse suspects," Joe Stork, deputy Middle East and North Africa director at Human Rights Watch, said in a statement
The rights organization said it suspected 15-year-old Thameur Nassri was also abused at the detention center. Both suspects were detained under counter-terrorism laws passed in 2003.
Tunisian Prime Minister Ali Larayedh ushered in his new government in March. Hamadi Jebali resigned as prime minister when he couldn't form a consensus government in the wake of the Belaid assassination.
Tunisia has struggled to make enduring political gains since the Jasmine Revolution unseated long-time leader Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali two years ago. The revolution was sparked by a protest suicide in late 2010.
