TUNIS: A Tunisian court on Thursday rejected demands to suspend operations at a fertilizer factory, a lawyer told AFP, after thousands of protesters blamed the plant for a rise in health problems.
The facility in the city of Gabes emits sulfur gases, nitrogen and fluorine, according to an audit last July for the African Development Bank, which reported “major non-compliance” on air and marine pollution.
Mounir Adouni, head of the Gabes bar association that launched the legal action, said Thursday’s decision was an emergency ruling and a final verdict was pending.
“The court ruled that there was no sufficient proof of harm, saying allegations of pollution lacked technical and scientific evidence,” Adouni said.
Locals in Gabes have for years rallied against the phosphate-processing factory, which makes fertilizers mainly for export.
