Tunisian Human Rights League pleads for journalist

The Tunisian Human Rights League has appealed to the government to lift restrictions imposed on a local journalist, Taoufik Ben Brik, who has been on a hunger strike since April 3, the pan-African news agency PANA reported.

Ben Brik, who strings for three European media organs, has stopped eating to protest personal and professional exactions and other pressures exerted on him for a long period.

The journalist has appeared for three times in court to answer charges of publishing two "false stories" in foreign newspapers, which authorities said were defamatory and likely to disturb public order.

Ben Brik has been ordered not to leave the country until his case is over.

The league, in a statement to PANA Saturday, warned that Brik's situation was deteriorating and urged the government to end his trial and reinstate his legitimate rights, MAP reported.