The National Union of Tunisian Journalists (SNJT) on Thursday condemned the arrest of Al Jazeera Tunis bureau journalist Samir Sassi during a raid on his home by the National Guard’s Terrorist Crimes Investigation Unit in Ettadhamon district.
The SNJT denounced in a statement the journalist’s “abusive detention” for more than 12 hours and the fact that he was taken to an unknown destination without informing his family.
According to the union, this is a violation of the right to defence guaranteed by Law No. 2016-5 of February 16, 2016 amending and supplementing certain provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure.
The union said a National Guard unit searched the journalist’s home before confiscating his computer, telephone and the mobile phones of all his family members and taking him to an unknown destination. It was only Thursday, that his place of detention was revealed.
The SNJT added that Samir Sassi’s lawyer stated that the unit in question had received an order prohibiting the presence of a lawy
er for 48 hours. Suspicions of terrorism could be linked to this case, according to him.
Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse
Amman: Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Maj. Gen. Yousef Huneiti confirmed the keenness of the General Command of the Armed Forces to utilize all available capabilities. In order to improve border guard units’ capacity to perform their responsibilities and duties effectively and competently in the face of infiltration and smuggling efforts, all the latest and most sophisticated equipment and means are to be supplied.
This occurred during his Thursday inspection of several border guard units affiliated to the Eastern Military Zone, as part of his ongoing efforts to assess the operational, training, and logistical preparedness of military formations and units.
Huneiti gave the order to bolster the electronic border guard system with radar monitoring equipment, stronger air support, and day-and-night surveillance cameras that can function in thick fog.
Additionally, he gave instructions to create blueprints and gather the materials needed to build an electronic fence that would deter any kind of infiltra
tion or smuggling due to the bad weather conditions, which included sandstorms and thick fog.
In his tour of the Eastern Military Zone, he stated that the armed forces are still fighting all threats to the border fronts, preventing infiltration and smuggling operations through force, and opposing any attempts to weaken national security, scare the public, or undermine the stability of the Kingdom.
Huneiti greeted the personnel of the border guard units he visited and expressed His Majesty the Supreme Commander’s greetings. He also praised the high morale and distinguished level of the units, as well as the tremendous efforts made by the officers in their various positions to stand united against anyone attempting to compromise Jordan’s security and stability.
Source: Jordan News Agency