On 2 February 2023, Farouk was present at the Sidi Bouzid stadium carrying out his usual work as a photographer. Farouk serves as Head of the Media Office of “Olympique Sidi Bouzid” and was photographing all aspects of the match inside the stadium and its surroundings for documentation and publication on the club’s official page.

The following day, police forces arrested Farouk. According to his brother’s testimony to Intersection Association, Farouk was accused of deliberately photographing security officers and practicing photography during the match without legal authorization. However, Farouk is a professional photographer, and this was not the first time he had covered football matches.

Moreover, the victim’s brother stated that six police vehicles arrived at their home, arrested Farouk, and confiscated all his equipment, including computers and cameras. During the investigation, it became clear that some of the photos in which security officers’ faces appeared were taken at their own request, as they had positioned themselves facing the camera and were prepared to be photographed. Additionally, documenting security presence inside the stadium is part of the photographic coverage required during matches.

Farouk was arrested on Friday, 3 February 2023, and taken to the police station, with all his equipment seized. He was charged with photographing without legal authorization and allegedly targeting security officers by focusing on their faces while taking pictures. After the investigation revealed that these accusations were unfounded, he was released on 6 February 2023, while his equipment remained confiscated pending a court decision on its return.