Stephen Brown - Tunisia

June 07

Latest Update:

At his trial Stephen was found guilty by a Tunisian court of actual bodily harm, given a two-year suspended sentence and told to pay compensation to the Tunisian man. He returned to the UK in August 2007.

June’s spotlight focuses on the case of Stephen Brown, who will stand trial in Tunisia on the 25th June 2007 for defending himself in a bar scuffle on New Year’s Eve over the execution of Saddam Hussein.

Stephen, British, 55 years old and married with 5 children, was enjoying his New Year’s Eve in the Riu Palace El Kabir Hotel when a man, who was drunk and had been behaving aggressively towards other customers and staff, said that “all Americans and Brits should be killed” over the execution of Saddam Hussein.

The man, a resident of Tunisia, then punched Stephen, who punched him back. He then tried to kick Stephen but fell over, injuring his leg and ending up in hospital. There are several independent witnesses who support this account and have come forward to give statements.

The man’s injuries were assessed at 23% on the relevant scale, which pushed the matter up into a higher level of seriousness. Stephen was therefore charged with an offence equivalent to ‘actual bodily harm’ and the case was sent up to a higher court.

Bail has consistently been refused on the grounds that as a foreigner, Stephen would be a ‘flight risk’. He has therefore been imprisoned for close to 6 months now. Prison conditions have included no change of clothes for the first 11 days, no telephone calls and private visits, when allowed, being limited to 20 minutes. Further, Stephen lost 3 stone in weight within the first 2 months of being remanded and ended up in hospital for a week, handcuffed to the bed by his foot.

Following Stephen’s statement to the police, the aggrieved was also arrested for his part in the brawl. He was granted bail and it is unknown what stage his case is at.

Stephen’s lawyer is of the opinion that he will be found guilty but is hopeful that he will receive a suspended sentence or one for time already served. He will also be required to pay damages for injuries caused to the aggrieved.