Farouk Amroussia

Summary

The facts indicate that on 17 August 2026, Farouk Amroussia was taken to the police station in Kalaa Seghira over a quarrel between two passengers in a shared taxi, in which the victim was not involved, before being transferred to the Sousse National Security District. According to his account, he was subjected to violence there mainly because of his former membership of a student organisation.

The victim also states that he was subjected to physical and psychological torture, through being severely beaten on the legs and mouth, having bottles of urine poured over him inside a holding room full of glass, as well as being sprayed with incapacitating gas and beaten, with other detainees being incited against him.

The information also indicates that the victim was deprived of his right to medication despite suffering from a chronic illness, and that his family was not informed of his situation until 48 hours later, before he was transferred from the Sousse National Security District to Messadine prison. On 21 August 2026, the victim appeared before the court, where he was sentenced to a fine.

In this context, Intersection Association for Rights and Freedoms condemns the acts Farouk Amroussia was subjected to, according to the available information, which, if established, would constitute serious violations of the right to physical and psychological integrity and of the absolute prohibition of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, as well as a violation of his right to health care and access to medication.

The Association affirms that these facts require a serious and independent investigation to determine their circumstances and the responsibilities for them, without being limited to examining their immediate physical consequences.

The Association also points out that Article 101 bis of the Penal Code does not merely criminalise torture, but also covers acts of humiliation, degradation, intimidation and incitement to violence, while Article 103 of the Penal Code enshrines the individual criminal responsibility of anyone who carried out, participated in, ordered or incited the assault. In this context, the Association stresses the need to apply these provisions to anyone found responsible for the acts under investigation, without exception.

The Association also condemns the deprivation of the victim's right to health care and access to medication, and affirms that persons deprived of their liberty continue to enjoy their fundamental rights, including the right to obtain the necessary health care, in accordance with the relevant legal safeguards.

Accordingly, Intersection Association for Rights and Freedoms calls for an immediate, independent and impartial judicial investigation into all the facts relating to the suspected torture and ill-treatment suffered by Farouk Amroussia, the determination of responsibilities, and the accountability of anyone found to be involved, whether by perpetration, participation, ordering or incitement, as established by the investigation.

The Association also demands that the victim be given an independent and appropriate medical examination documenting the harm he suffered, that he be protected from all forms of harassment, pressure or reprisal, and that he be able to exercise his rights to redress, recognition and accountability, in accordance with the relevant legal safeguards.

Inside Prison

Farouk Amroussia, a Tunisian citizen, was subjected to suspected serious torture and ill-treatment over a quarrel in which he was not involved, during which he was moved between the Kalaa Seghira police station, the Sousse National Security District and then Messadine prison.
On 17 August 2026, Farouk Amroussia was taken to the police station in Kalaa Seghira over a quarrel between two passengers in a shared taxi, in which he was not involved.
He was transferred from the Kalaa Seghira station to the Sousse National Security District, where, according to his account, he was subjected to violence mainly because of his former membership of a student organisation. He was subjected to physical and psychological torture: severe beating on the legs and mouth, bottles of urine poured over him inside a holding room full of glass, being sprayed with incapacitating gas, and being beaten with other detainees incited against him. He was deprived of his right to his medication despite suffering from a chronic illness, and his family was not informed of his situation until 48 hours later.
He was transferred from the Sousse National Security District to Messadine prison. On 21 August 2026, he appeared before the court and was sentenced to a fine.