Tunisia judge imprisons politicians, businessman amid crackdown

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: News websites
25 Feb 2023 15:44

A wave of raids and arrests target opposition figures and government critics.

A general view of the Palace of Justice in Tunis, Tunisia, Wednesday, June 8, 2022. (AP)

A Tunisian "anti-terrorism" investigative judge has imprisoned two famous politicians and a high-profile businessman, according to their defense team.

Lawyers for Abdelhamid Jlassi, Khayam al-Turki, and businessman Kamel Ltaif, who are critics of President Kais Saied, said the decision was reached on Saturday. They went on to say that the three's defense team had boycotted a plea hearing because the conditions for a fair trial had not been fulfilled.

All three were detained as part of a security crackdown that included raids and arrests of opposition politicians, activists, protest organizers, a media personality, judges, and an important business leader.

Chaima Aissa and Jaouhar Ben Mbarek, leaders of the National Salvation Front opposition alliance, as well as Issam Chebbi, the head of the opposition Jomhouri (Republican) Party, were among the 12 persons detained as of Saturday.

All of those arrested were linked to Saied's criticism or efforts to mobilize demonstrations against the president.

Leader of the opposition Ennahdha party and the speaker of the elected parliament that Saied officially dissolved last year, Rached Ghannouchi, was also called in for questioning last week.

Saied stated earlier this month that those detained had engaged in "conspiracy against internal and external state security," without naming any of the people.