Mornaguia Prison Escape Case : Hearing Postponed to 13 January

The criminal chamber specializing in terrorism cases at the Tunis Court of First Instance on Friday postponed consideration of the case concerning the escape of five “dangerous terrorist detainees” from the Mornaguia Civil Prison to 13 January, in order to hear the remaining defendants, a judicial source told Agence Tunis Afrique Presse (TAP) on Saturday.

The case dates back to October 2023, when five detainees classified as dangerous escaped from Mornaguia prison, some of them allegedly implicated in terrorist crimes. According to the Interior Ministry, which announced the incident at the time, they are Nader El Ghanmi, Amer El Ballaazi, Ahmed El Melki, nicknamed “Al Somali”, Raed Touati and Alaaeddine Ghazouani.

Four of them were arrested on 7 November 2023 after taking refuge on Mount Bougarnine (Ben Arous governorate), while the fifth fugitive (Al Somali) was apprehended on 5 November in the Ettadhamen area (Ariana governorate).

Defendants held in custody in connection with the case appeared before the specialized criminal panel in the hearing room inside Mornaguia Civil Prison, via the remote trial system.

The court had reviewed the file in December and decided to adjourn it to Friday, 9 January, following a request from the defense, which sought additional time to prepare its arguments.

The court also rejected applications for release filed on behalf of several defendants.

On 31 October 2023, the Minister of Justice ordered the ministry’s General Inspectorate to conduct in-depth administrative investigations and determine responsibilities. A General Inspectorate team subsequently visited Mornaguia Civil Prison.

Security and judicial authorities, as well as the counter-terrorism judicial pole, were also notified.

On 16 November 2023, the investigating judge at the counter-terrorism judicial pole issued detention warrants against nine prison officers of various ranks, who had been arrested earlier in connection with the escape of dangerous detainees from Mornaguia prison (Manouba governorate).