Tunisia Extends Detention of Ennahda Vice President

Ali Laarayed, a suspect in the sending of Tunisian recruits to hotbeds of tension and terrorism. (EPA)
Ali Laarayed, a suspect in the sending of Tunisian recruits to hotbeds of tension and terrorism. (EPA)
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Tunisia Extends Detention of Ennahda Vice President

Ali Laarayed, a suspect in the sending of Tunisian recruits to hotbeds of tension and terrorism. (EPA)
Ali Laarayed, a suspect in the sending of Tunisian recruits to hotbeds of tension and terrorism. (EPA)

A Tunisian anti-terrorism investigative judge decided on Tuesday to extend for four months the detention of several suspects over the sending of Tunisian recruits to hotbeds of tension and terrorism during 2012 and 2013.

The suspects include former interior minister and vice-president of the Ennahda Movement, Ali Laarayed.

The decision also includes former officials in the Ministry of Interior, Abdul Karim Al Obaidi who was the former head of the aircraft protection squad at Tunis-Carthage airport, and Fathi Al-Baladi, who is accused of establishing a parallel security apparatus that follows the Ennahda leaders' instructions.

Security and judicial investigations also comprised Sayf al-Din Rayes, a former spokesman for the banned Ansar al-Sharia organization and a detainee in this case.

The Tunisian anti-terrorism investigative judge issued in Sep. 2022 six-month imprisonment sentences against suspects in this case. The detention was extended for four additional months.

Recently, the period was extended for four more months in compliance with the law on combating terrorism and money laundering, issued in July 2015.

Investigations were launched in the wake of a complaint filed by former MP Fatima Al-Masdi of the Nidaa Tounes against political and security figures accusing them of sending thousands of Tunisians to the hotbed abroad, especially Libya and Syria.

Upon this complaint, Laarayed was arrested on Dec. 19, 2022, but no judicial orders were issued in this case.

This made Ennahda institutions, represented in its executive office and Shura council, demand the release of Laarayed.



Lebanon: Mikati Says Diplomatic Efforts 'Intensify' to Secure Ceasefire

Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati speaks during a press conference in the presence of Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and Lebanese Druze leader Walid Jumblatt (not pictured), in Beirut, Lebanon October 2, 2024. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir
Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati speaks during a press conference in the presence of Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and Lebanese Druze leader Walid Jumblatt (not pictured), in Beirut, Lebanon October 2, 2024. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir
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Lebanon: Mikati Says Diplomatic Efforts 'Intensify' to Secure Ceasefire

Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati speaks during a press conference in the presence of Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and Lebanese Druze leader Walid Jumblatt (not pictured), in Beirut, Lebanon October 2, 2024. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir
Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati speaks during a press conference in the presence of Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and Lebanese Druze leader Walid Jumblatt (not pictured), in Beirut, Lebanon October 2, 2024. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir

Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati on Thursday said that diplomatic efforts are ongoing to pressure Israel into halting its offensive on Lebanon.
He said that contacts have “intensified” in the past hours ahead of a session of the United Nations Security Council, aiming once again to achieve a ceasefire and increase pressure to stop the "Israeli aggression" on Lebanon.
He noted that “discussions are ongoing between the United States and France, which has requested the convening of the Security Council, with the goal of reviving a declaration for a temporary ceasefire to facilitate the resumption of talks on political solutions."
Hezbollah began firing rockets into northern Israel on Oct. 8, 2023, the day after Hamas’ surprise attack into Israel ignited the war in Gaza. Hezbollah and Hamas are both allied with Iran, and Hezbollah says its attacks are aimed at aiding the Palestinians. Israel has carried out airstrikes in response and the conflict steadily escalated, erupting into a full-fledged war last month.
Israel has inflicted a punishing wave of blows against Hezbollah in recent weeks and says it will keep fighting until tens of thousands of displaced Israeli citizens can return to their homes in the north.
More than 1,300 people have been killed in Lebanon and over a million displaced since the fighting escalated in mid-September.