The Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE) has condemned what it describes as “the recent violent arrest” of two Tunisian lawyers.

The CCBE, which represents the bars and law societies of 46 countries, issued the condemnation as it held its latest plenary session.

The organisation said that it was “seriously concerned” about the violence of the arrests of Sonia Dahmani and Mehdi Zagrouba, which took place as both took refuge in the office of the Tunisian Bar.

“Moreover, the CCBE is all the more shocked by the fact that lawyer Mehdi Zagrouba was the victim of torture following his arrest,” the organisation stated.

‘Legitimate activities’

The lawyers’ group said that the arrests were connected to, and served to unlawfully curb, “the exercise of their freedom of expression and their legitimate activities as lawyers – including those related to legal assistance in the field of migration and asylum law”.

The CCBE has urged the authorities in Tunisia to free the arrested lawyers, and has called for “a full and impartial” investigation into the treatment of Mehdi Zagrouba.

Its statement also called on the relevant authorities at EU, Council of Europe, and international level to take the necessary measures to support Tunisian lawyers.