Tunisia: new wave of arrests of opponents including that of Jawhar Ben Mbarek
[Illustrative image] Jawhar Ben Mbarek, member of the National Salvation Front (FSN), during a demonstration against President Kaïs Saïed in Tunis, December 17, 2021. AFP - FETHI BELAID
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2 mins
In Tunisia, a new wave of arrests of opponents of the country's president began on February 22, 2023. That of Jawhar Ben Mbarek, one of Kaïs Saïed's main critics, was confirmed by his relatives on February 24.
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In Tunisia, several lawyers and relatives reported the arrest on February 22 of two new political leaders among the opponents of the country's president, Kaïs Saïed.
A wave of arrests launched since the beginning of the year has already targeted political figures but also former security officials, magistrates, a journalist and a trade unionist from the UGTT, the central trade union.
According to their lawyers, the new people arrested were arrested under the anti-terrorism law.
They are accused of plotting against state security.
► To read also: Tunisia: President Kaïs Saïed justifies the arrests by an "attack on national security"
These include Issam Chebbi, Secretary General of the Al Joumhouri party or "Republican Party".
He is the brother of Ahmed Néjib Chebbi who leads the National Salvation Front (FSN), the main opposition coalition.
According to the latter, Issam Chebbi was arrested at his home in Ariana, in the Tunisian suburbs, by around twenty plainclothes police officers.
His lawyer, Amine Bouker, told local radio that the investigation and search of his house did not follow any legal rules.
As for Chaïma Issa, academic and human rights activist, she is an emblematic figure of the “Citizens Against the Coup” collective and a member of the political office of the FSN.
Prior to her arrest, she was prosecuted in military courts for "
fanciful
" criminal offenses, according to her support committee.
Jawhar Ben Mbarek also arrested
Another leading FSN member, Jawhar Ben Mbarek, was prosecuted but his arrest did not take place on Wednesday.
He was absent from his home during the search.
Finally, he was arrested this Friday, February 24, according to his father's statements.
These three personalities are accused of having met in a café the political activist Khayam Turki, who had already been arrested before, and of having plotted with him against the security of the State.
They are victims of “
political reprisals
” because “
they are critical of the policy pursued by the president
”, retort their lawyers.
Some in Tunis consider the situation to be worse than when the country was ruled by Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali (1987-2011).
“
Ben Ali's dictatorship was rational and here we are in irrationality.
It's limitless
, "says an opposing voice on condition of anonymity.
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