After being taken to the police station, he was interrogated. According to the victim, he was questioned without the presence of a lawyer, and all the questions focused on his activism and activities. This constituted a form of intimidation aimed at instilling fear among young people and discouraging them from exercising their rights.

Furthermore, Adem’s phone was confiscated. Officers searched his personal device and kept it under the pretext of continuing investigations and verifying its contents, including documents and photos. His room was also searched.

Following the completion of the technical examination of the phones, and after authorities found a screenshot of a mural drawn by prisoner Rached Tamboura on his friend’s device, the victim received another summons on October 16, 2024, to appear again for questioning. It later became clear that the charges brought against Adem were based on Article 67 of the Penal Code, which criminalizes committing an offensive act against the President of the Republic and carries a penalty of up to three years’ imprisonment and/or a fine of 240 dinars.

Adem remained at liberty pending trial, and a hearing was scheduled before the Court of First Instance of Bab Bhar in Sfax on October 31, 2024.