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Tunisians Demonstrate for Rape Victim, Women's Rights

Hundreds of Tunisians protested in support of a woman who was allegedly raped by two policemen last month. The crowd gathered in Tunis, where the alleged raped victim was summoned by a judge. They denounced Tunisia’s worsening rights record, slamming the Islamist-led government for not doing enough to protect women.

A protester poses in front of police officers during a demonstration against charges of indecency filed against a woman raped by two police officers, in front of the court in Tunis October 2, 2012. Amnesty International has called for the indecency charges against the woman, who prefers to remain anonymous, filed by the same two police officers found guilty and jailed for raping her, to be dropped.   REUTERS/Zoubeir Souissi   (TUNISIA - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST CRIME LAW)
A protester poses in front of police officers during a demonstration against charges of indecency filed against a woman raped by two police officers, in front of the court in Tunis October 2, 2012. — REUTERS/Zoubeir Souissi

Hundreds of Tunisians protested in support of a woman who was allegedly raped by two policemen last month and now stands accused of "outraging public decency.” The crowd gathered outside Tunis' main tribunal on Oct. 2 where the alleged raped victim was summoned by a judge for the second time in less than a week.

They denounced Tunisia’s worsening rights record, slamming the Islamist-led government for not doing enough to protect women. The 27-year-old woman and her boyfriend were apprehended by three policemen on Sept. 3, apparently found in an indecent posture, according to judicial sources — a report contested by the woman’s lawyer. But instead of arresting or fining them, the policemen allegedly demanded money from the couple and went on to rape the woman in the back of her car while her boyfriend watched, helpless and handcuffed.

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