The former Minister of Religious Affairs in Tunisia, Noureddine El Khadmi, announced that he had entered into an open sit-in at Carthage International Airport in the Tunisian capital, accompanied by his family, after they were prevented from traveling since the fifteenth of last July.
Al-Khadimi said in a communication with Al-Jazeera Net that he entered the sit-in after he and his family were prevented from traveling without any legal basis, and that his family was scattered, and has been living in difficult psychological conditions, for 35 days.
He noted that his daughter's university studies were disrupted as a result of being prevented from traveling, and she is now suffering from a very severe psychological crisis, and she is now refusing to return to the airport after she attended with him 3 times accompanied by travel tickets.
He added that he reviewed all the competent security, judicial and administrative authorities in Tunisia, and it was found that there is nothing against him, no judicial ruling, or legal follow-up.
He said that the travel ban appears to be due to his assumption of responsibility for the Ministry of Religious Affairs for a period of two years, a responsibility that "I assumed it on the basis of national accord, and exited from it by national accord, without any abuse of authority or corruption files," he said.
He expressed his deep surprise at the ban, especially as it targeted a national and international academic, community and university figure, known for its moderation and tolerance, noting that the authorities in it exceeded their limits, and encroached on the legitimate and constitutional right of every citizen, whether traveling for the sake of science or learning.
He stressed that they will remain at the airport, and will continue their open sit-in until the situation is settled and the travel ban is lifted.