In particular, the AAJT project focused on three core pillars: training, legal representation, and awareness.

First, IBJ trained legal defenders to build their skills in representing accused individuals from vulnerable communities. The program targeted young lawyers in Tunis and was delivered through four group sessions, covering key topics such as international standards on the rights of accused persons, responsibilities of defense lawyers, Tunisian legal practices, and interview techniques for tortured or traumatized clients. Participants gained practical skills that prepared them to address the complex challenges of criminal defense work.

Across these sessions, IBJ worked directly with 115 lawyers to strengthen their skills in criminal defense and rights-based representation, focusing especially on defending marginalized individuals. Women accounted for 56% of participants. Although the trainings were short-term, they provided practical tools that participants could immediately apply in their defense work. In post-training surveys, 100% of respondents reported increased confidence in their criminal defense knowledge. This demonstrates the program’s role in building the technical capacity of a more diverse group of legal defenders committed to serving vulnerable communities.

To support lasting impact, IBJ also developed the Tunisia Criminal Defence Practice Manual, which contains detailed, locally relevant guidance for lawyers at each stage of the litigation process. The Manual incorporates insight from diverse justice-sector stakeholders in Tunisia. It is available online, and IBJ has distributed 1,000 physical copies across the country.

Second, AAJT sought to improve respect for due process and fair trial rights by facilitating early access to justice. After the training program concluded, IBJ formed a task force of lawyers who went on to represent 256 marginalized accused individuals by February 2025, exceeding the original goal of 250 cases. Thanks to collaboration with Forum Tunisien des Droits Économiques et Sociaux (FTDES) and the Young Lawyers’ Association of Tunisia (ATJA), the task force was able to reach vulnerable communities throughout Tunisia. IBJ also worked with civil society leaders and local partners to launch the Tunisian JusticeHub app in April 2024. This tool helped lawyers manage cases more efficiently through integrated case calendars and task management features, supporting access to legal services.

Third, AAJT worked to raise public awareness of due process rights under Tunisian and international human rights law. In September 2023, IBJ and UNDEF successfully launched the Rights Awareness Campaign in Tunis, shining a spotlight on defendants’ rights. Starting in May 2024, IBJ partnered with the U.S.-based National Center for State Courts (NCSC) and the Institut Arabe des Droits de l’Homme (IADH) to air and rebroadcast four radio episodes on the rights of the accused, and launch a Know Your Rights social media campaign. IBJ also worked with an influencer specializing in legal awareness to create short social media thematic shows. In total, the Rights Awareness Campaign reached an estimated 30,000 to 90,000 people via radio, and over 850,000 via social media, surpassing the original target of 500,000.

Overall, the AAJT project has made a meaningful impact on Tunisia’s legal community by enhancing the skills of defenders and broadening access to quality legal representation for vulnerable populations. By equipping legal professionals with practical tools and a deeper understanding of the rights of the accused, the project has helped build a stronger, more inclusive justice system. At the same time, the development of vital resources and increased public awareness mark important steps toward lasting reform, creating momentum for continued progress in ensuring justice for all Tunisians.

Randall was placed in judicial custody until Advocate Ajay Verma, who is the Senior Fellow of IBJ and the head of IBJ India Trust, filed his bail application. Meanwhile, the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM), the designated court for extradition conducted an enquiry under the Extradition Act, upon the application filed by the Government of India. He was granted bail by the Delhi High Court in February 2018. Verma represented Randall when he participated in the extradition enquiry.

Extradition request alleged that Randall committed offences which caused the death of Allya Siska Nadya by negligence in August 2015 after giving chiropractic treatment in Jakarta.  Later in the evening, the patient experienced severe pain on her back and neck and was admitted to the Emergency Department of a hospital in Jakarta. Next day she was declared dead at the hospital.

Ajay Verma contested that there was no prima facie case for causing death by negligence. He contested that the death occurred due to the medication administered by the Hospital in Jakarta and not by Randall’s chiropractic treatment. He further argued that the proximity of death was closer with the drugs administered, than that of the treatment. Also that the autopsy was not conducted immediately as warranted by the Indonesian Criminal Procedure Code, and was done when the body was in advance stage of decay, four months after the death. It was further submitted that the forensic report does not suggest that the death of the victim occurred due to Chiropractic therapy.

After eight years of the case being tried, the Court of Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Pranav Joshi discharged Randall on 6^th March 2025 stating, “Prima facie against FC (fugitive criminal) Randall John Cafferty is not made out in respect of the offence under relevant sections of the Penal Code of Indonesian and FC stands discharged.”

When Ajay Verma heard about Randall’s case, he took immediate action. And it is because of Ajay Verma’s diligence as well as deep commitment to his client that Randall is a free man and can fly back to America and be reunited with his family. Being wrongfully accused is terrifying, but being stranded on foreign soil can be a deeply traumatising experience. Timely and quality legal representation by Ajay Verma has resulted in realising justice. And Ajay Verma has been leading IBJ’S work in India since the organisation began its work in 2008.  He has been instrumental in training over 26,825 defense lawyers in India and providing legal representation to over 3000 individuals in the last 24 years.