Nawaat’s legal representative summoned to answer questions about Journalistic work

Update The legal representative of Nawaat was questioned on Tuesday 16 July 2024 in the presence of his lawyers at the Gorjeni barracks “for advice” on a journalistic content, following a summons he received on Monday 15 July before being allowed to leave.

Nawaat received a summons this morning, Monday, July 15, 2024, asking its legal representative to appear tomorrow, Tuesday, July 16, before the Criminal Affairs Sub-Department office in Gorjani, Room 125. This office has a reputation for looking into and prosecuting cases involving the electronic content of writers, journalists, opinion makers, and their organizations.

This summons simply stated, “for a matter that concerns him“, without going into detail on why it was issued or what legal context it fits into.

Nawaat recalls the persecution and prosecutions its staff has endured in the past because of their journalistic work. The bizarre warning that the Election Commission sent in February 2024 about a story that didn’t mention the commission or the elections was the most recent occurrence. In another incident, after their coverage of a movement connected to the case of Omar Laabidi, the stadium martyr, Nawaat’s reporters were prevented from doing their jobs and brought in for interrogation.

Nawaat urges the civil rights and journalism communities, together with all other engaged groups, to resist attempts at disinformation and intimidation aimed at free speech. This occurs at a time when the government is doing little to stop ongoing smear operations directed towards Nawaat and its editorial staff.