Tunisian authorities have dismissed reports alleging that Abdul Hamid Dbeibah, Prime Minister of Libya’s Government of National Unity, was referred to a court specializing in terrorism cases. The Public Prosecution described the claims as unfounded and without basis.
The controversy arose after a report published by an online platform claimed Dbeibah was linked to a 2017 case involving jailed businessman Chafik Jarraya, who is accused of conspiring against Tunisia’s external state security.
In response, Tunisia's Public Prosecution has launched a judicial investigation into the website responsible for spreading the news. According to Mosaique FM, legal action has also been authorized against individuals involved in disseminating "false rumours aimed at undermining public security and infringing on others’ rights."
Mustafa Abdelkabir, head of the Tunisian Observatory for Human Rights and a specialist in Libyan affairs, criticized the delay in the Tunisian government’s denial of the claims. Speaking to Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, Abdelkabir emphasized that prompt clarification was crucial, particularly in matters involving high-profile figures from neighbouring Libya. He suggested that Tunisian officials should have immediately expressed respect for their Libyan counterparts while holding the source of the false report accountable.
Abdelkabir also warned of the potential for such incidents to strain relations between Tunisia and Libya. However, he expressed confidence that the long-standing and deep ties between the two nations would endure, noting that mutual respect and cooperation remain stronger than any temporary disruptions caused by misinformation.