Tunisian blogger stands witness at ‘Sheratongate’ trial

Tunisian blogger Olfa Riahi trial took place on Tuesday for her revelations of the ‘Sheratongate’ scandal.

Riahi took the stand as a witness after she accused Tunisia’s foreign minister, Rafik Abdessalam for misusing public funds in a growing national scandal involving issues of government transparency and press freedom.

The Tunisian blogger was question in court as a witness and not an accused as initially stated according to the court.

“The trial was not fair, I sent all documents to safe hands and if the trial doesn't go fairly, I hope the Tunisian and International media will help prevail a fair trial,” Riahi said outside the court.

Riahi was primarily charged by Abdessalam who denied the allegations made by the blogger accusing him of using public money to stay several nights at the Tunis Sheraton Hotel accompanied by an unidentified woman, raising suspicions of adultery.

Abdessalam lawyers convinced the jury to question their client under the basis of Article 31 of the Criminal Procedures Code.

Riahi’s lawyers accepted the judge’s decision to question the blogger as a witness. However, she remains still banned from traveling until a verdict of Abdessalem and Fathi Laâyouni complains.

A number of supporters gathered to support Riahi in front of the Court in the capital waving banners calling for an independent judiciary and free media.