Mother Rallies For Kidnapped Children At Tunisian Embassy

For nearly two months, Fairfax resident Édeanna Johnson-Chebbi has been living every mother's worst nightmare.

Her estranged ex-husband, Faical Chebbi, and fled to his native Tunisia in early November. He has promised Johnson-Chebbi that Eslam, 5, and Zainab, 2, will not return to the United States until they are 18 years old.

On Thursday, Johnson-Chebbi in front of the Tunisian Embassy, located at 1515 Massachusetts Ave. in northwest Washington. She says embassy officials supplied her ex-husband with Tunisian passports and birth certificates for the children with full knowledge that she was granted sole legal and physical custody by a U.S. court. She is demanding the return of her children.

Approximately 15 supporters waved banners with the children's names and faces. 

"What do we want? Our children back! When do we want it? Now!," the group chanted in unison.

A few embassy officials watched the protesters circle on the sidewalk. A request for comment from the embassy was not returned Thursday.

Johnson-Chebbi said she hopes the rally — the second one she has organized in front of the embassy — brings awareness to her mission. Already, an online petition has garnered more than 18,000 signatures around the world.

"(The rally) is really to raise the voice and awareness. All eyes really need to be on the Tunisian government and the Tunisian justice system because I don't understand Tunisian law. I don't understand the language, but I have to fight for my children all over again in that country," she said. "My only recourse is to raise awareness and to make sure our diplomats stay on top of it."

Raquel Eliav, one of Johnson-Chebbi's friends and a supporter at the rally on Thursday, said she is hopeful the children will be returned.

"I know the family. I've watched the kids grow. They're like my own," Eliav said. "I miss them."

Learn more about this abduction on Johnson-Chebbi's Facebook page or sign the online petition to bring Eslam and Zainab home.