Tunisians Arrested For "Cops Are Dogs" Rap
Troubling news for freedom of expression in post-revolution Tunisia.
Weld El 15 aka Alla Yacoubi, and his group are facing charges for “hate speech and incitement to violence and murder” for their video “Cops Are Dogs.”
After its March 3rd release, the video’s director, Mohamed Hedi Belgueyed, as well as actress Sabrine Klibi were arrested by Tunisian police. The frontman of the group, Weld El 15, is still at-large, and wanted by police.
Members of the Tunisian Ministry of the Interior allegedly posted death threats against the artists on an unofficial Facebook page.
Mugshots of Klibi and Belgueyed posted on the page, reportedly administered by “Police of Tunis”, have sparked outrage among many Facebook users and activists.
The arrests have disturbing implications for freedom of expression in Post-Revolutionary Tunisa.
“Before were afraid to speak and risk prison. Now, after the revolution, I am going to jail for expressing my opinion.” Weld-el-15 explained.
