News website Inkyfada hit with cyberattack after Panama Papers report

The independent Tunisian news website Inkyfada was hit with a cyberattack on April 4, 2016, hours after publishing a Panama Papers report that mentioned Tunisian politician Mohsen Marzouk, according to statements published by Inkyfada on its Facebook page. During the attack Inkyfada’s website was hacked and its content manipulated, with hackers attempting to publish names not listed in the Panama Papers investigation, including former Tunisian President Moncef Marzouki, the statement said.

Because of the attack, the outlet closed it website until its servers could be secured. The website was reactivated two days later, on April 6, 2016. Regional and international freedom of expression groups call for a transparent investigation into the attacks on Inkyfada.

Separately, Marzouk, a former Minister for Political Affairs and former member of the ruling party, Nidaa Tunis, filed a defamation complaint against the website, according to news reports. The complaint is related to the Panama Papers report published on Inkyfada, which refers to leaked emails in which Marzouk allegedly inquired about how to establish an offshore company. Marzouk has denied the allegations, according to reports.