Intersection Association for Rights and Freedoms expresses its deep concern over the suspicious death of Anis Cherni, a 28-year-old Tunisian citizen, following his arrest and detention as a suspect at the Nkhilet Police Station in Ariana Governorate.

According to the victim’s family, Anis Cherni was arrested on Wednesday, 22 July 2026. That same day, he managed to contact his sister and inform her that he was being held at the Nkhilet Police Station. When family members went to the station, they said they found him restrained and were not allowed to speak with him. Security officers asked them to leave and informed them that he would be brought before the Court of First Instance in Ariana on Friday, 24 July 2026.

The family stated that they went to the Court of First Instance in Ariana that Friday but could not find him, although his name appeared on the court docket alongside the notation: “Anis, Raoued Beach – release.” They subsequently returned to the Nkhilet Police Station and met with the head of the station, who, after making several phone calls, informed them that Cherni had suffered an “epileptic seizure” and had been admitted to Charles Nicolle University Hospital.

The family added that they went to Charles Nicolle University Hospital and, after searching for him, found him in the emergency department on mechanical ventilation. He remained in that condition until Tuesday, 28 July 2026, when they were informed of his death.

The victim’s family also told Intersection Association for Rights and Freedoms that they observed visible signs of violence on Cherni’s face and body. This raises serious questions about the circumstances in which he sustained these injuries and whether he may have been subjected to violence or other forms of ill-treatment during his detention or in the period that followed. The family subsequently requested an autopsy to determine the cause of death.

According to available information, the Public Prosecutor’s Office has opened an investigation into the circumstances of Cherni’s death to determine its cause.

Intersection Association for Rights and Freedoms considers that the documented facts and the uncertainty surrounding them raise serious concerns regarding respect for the right to life and physical integrity, as well as the safeguards afforded to persons deprived of their liberty. In particular, the circumstances of Cherni’s transfer to hospital and the period he spent in detention before his death remain unclear, requiring a full and transparent investigation into the circumstances of the case that is both independent and effective.

Articles 24 and 25 of the 2022 Constitution of the Republic of Tunisia guarantee the right to life and physical and moral integrity and prohibit physical and psychological torture. Article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights protects the inherent right to life, while Article 7 prohibits torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment. The Convention against Torture requires the competent authorities to conduct a prompt and impartial investigation whenever there are reasonable grounds to believe that acts of torture or ill-treatment have occurred, including in cases arising during detention or resulting in death. International human rights law also requires all deaths occurring during deprivation of liberty to be subject to an independent, effective, and transparent investigation.

In light of these circumstances, the Association considers that Anis Cherni’s death during or immediately following his detention requires a prompt, independent, and effective investigation into all circumstances surrounding his detention, transfer to hospital, and death. The investigation must ensure that anyone found responsible for any violation is held accountable through appropriate legal proceedings, while guaranteeing his family the necessary legal safeguards and their right to know the truth.

Intersection Association for Rights and Freedoms calls on the Tunisian authorities to:

• Ensure an independent, effective, and impartial investigation into all circumstances surrounding Anis Cherni’s detention and death, including by interviewing all persons involved in his detention or who had contact with him while he was held at the Nkhilet Police Station; ensure that the findings of the investigation are made public; and hold anyone found responsible accountable in accordance with the law.
• Ensure a full and independent forensic autopsy to determine the precise cause of death, preserve all relevant evidence, and allow the family access to the findings in accordance with the law.
• Preserve and make available all records and documents relating to his detention, including the arrest report, custody records, times of entry and release, and documents relating to his transfer to hospital, to safeguard the integrity of the investigation.
• Protect the victim’s family members and any witnesses or persons cooperating with the judicial authorities from retaliation, intimidation, or pressure related to reporting violations or cooperating with the investigation.
• Ensure respect for the rights of all persons detained by security forces, in accordance with the Tunisian Constitution and Tunisia’s international human rights obligations; take measures to prevent torture, ill-treatment, and deaths in places of detention; and ensure accountability and prevent impunity.