Tunisian authorities say a Koranic school teaching a warped interpretation of Islam has been shut down following allegations of abuse and children being radicalized at the institution. Some of the boys were suffering from ill health and at least nine had been sexually abused, say the government. Reports suggest the children were also forced into hard labour and underwent militant-like survival training. The families and lawyers of the children deny the accusations. Adnen Chaouachi has the story.

A private Quranic school, located on the outskirts of the rural village of Regueb, Sidi Bouzid, in central Tunisia was closed by the Interior Ministry following allegations that children housed in inappropriate conditions were being radicalized. Authorities said the 42 boys were subjected to forced labor and sexual abuse.

AHMED ADHOUM RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS MINISTER, TUNISIA "We've been informed by the regional authorities about this illegal Quranic school. It is preaching radical discourse and brainwashing children with misinterpretations of Islam."

The Minister of Women, Family and Children said that the affected children, were taken to a youth centre in Tunis, where they were being provided with the necessary health, psychological and social care.

NAZIHA LAABIDI MINISTER OF WOMEN, FAMILY AND CHILDREN, TUNISIA "The children are now in the hands of specialists, educators and psychologists. They have been subject to inhuman treatment. This is unacceptable in Tunisia."

ADNEN CHAOUACHI TUNIS "Lawyers and parents of the children held a press conference in Tunis. They accused the authorities of sequestering minors and the Tunisian media of launching a campaign of fake news targeting Koranic Schools."

Some former students at the Koranic school of Regueb revealed that teachers at the private institution provided the best conditions for studying and learning Quran. They denied reports they were subjected to forced labour or suffered physical abuse.

MOHAMED AMINE TOUTI KORANIC SCHOOL STUDENT "I've learned the sacred text at this school which is a successful educational institution. I've never seen or heard about abnormal or unusual behavior. Teachers treat students like their children. No one has ever been abused."

Lawyer Seif Eddine Makhlouf said that the Interior and Justice Ministries as well as the state services in charge of Childhood did not respect legal procedures.

SEIF EDDINE MAKHLOUF LAWYER "The teachers, children and their parents were all treated like criminals before any investigation. The kids were isolated from families but the police and the prosecutor's office could not prove any illegal practice. The state wants to close all Quranic schools in Tunisia. This case is a mere pretext."

The 42 boys were released this week. The Ministry of Women, Family, Children has lodged a complaint with the public prosecutor over what it described as the harm caused to children in the anarchic space of Regueb who were filmed without having their faces covered and were subjected to guided interviews at the time they were handed over to their parents. ADNEN CHAOUACHI, CGTN, TUNIS.