Unfair trial for victims of torture In December 2006 and January 2007, 30 men, including Saber Ragoubi were arrested following confrontations between the security forces and an armed group near the town of Soliman.

The men were unfairly tried on 30 November 2007 on charges including conspiracy to overthrow the government, use of firearms and belonging to a terrorist organisation.

Twenty-nine of the men were sentenced to between three years’ and life imprisonment.

Saber Ragoubi was sentenced to death.

The court failed to investigate defendants’ allegations of ill treatment and torture, including being suspended from the ceiling, beatings, electric shocks and mock executions.

Some detainees were threatened with rape or with the rape of their mothers or sisters. Saber Ragoubi told the judge: ‘I was assaulted in Mornaguia prison and lost three of my front teeth; I was also stripped naked to force me to shave my beard.’ He is currently being held in solitary confinement and is not permitted visits from his family, or correspondence, in violation of Tunisian law and international standards.

APPEAL: Please write calling for Saber Ragoubi’s death sentence to be commuted and for him to be treated humanely. Urge the authorities to retry all 30 defendants or release them. Address: Her Excellency Mrs Hamida M’rabet Labidi, 29 Prince’s Gate, London, SW7 1QG, Fax: (020) 7584 3205.