Cartoonist Taoufik Omrane has been summoned by the Tunis Court of First Instance for trial in absentia in connection with a case dating back to 2015 involving a bounced cheque worth 290 dinars.

This was announced to reporters by lawyer Ayachi Hammami at a rally in support of Taoufik Omrane held in front of the Tunis Court of First Instance on Monday.

He added that the defence committee would appeal against the verdict, which he said has become statute-barred.

Ayachi Hammami also said that the defence committee would go to Ben Arous to monitor the case of "harming others through social networking sites,' adding that a drawing of the Prime Minister was behind the investigation.

The public Prosecutor last Thursday evening ordered the arrest of cartoonist Taoufik Omrane after he was taken to the police station without prior notice or summons, where he was questioned about his cartoons before being released.

In a statement issued on September 22, the Prime Ministry said the criminal proceedings against Tunisian cartoonist Taoufik Omrane would be "unjustified and unfounded" if they were carried out in relation to the publication of a cartoon.

It added that the Prime Minister was not aware of the criminal proceedings against the cartoonist in question.

Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse