A new wave of arrests in Tunisia has expanded to include businessmen, judges and security officials who have been accused of “conspiring against state security.”
Tunisian human rights sources estimated the number of detainees at about 15 individuals.
According to the sources, it is likely that the number of those detained will increase in the aftermath of the arrest of judges Bashir Akremi and Tayeb Rached.
Defense lawyers of those arrested demanded to know their clients’ whereabouts three days after they were detained by security services specialized in combating terrorism.
Police in Tunisia have arrested influential businessmen Kamel Eltaief and Samir Kamoun.
Abdelhamid Jelassi, a former senior leader of the Islamist-inspired movement Ennahdha — staunch opponents of President Kais Saied — and political activist Khayam Turki were also arrested.
Several observers linked Saied’s meeting a few days ago with Justice Minister Laila Jaffal to his push for “accountability and the need for the Tunisian judiciary to play its role during this stage.”
Moreover, those arrested will likely be interrogated in accordance with the anti-terrorism law.
“The matter differs between terrorist cases and ordinary cases, as the period of precautionary detention is set by the anti-terrorism law at five days,” said legal expert Abdulsattar al-Masoudi.
He added that precautionary detention can be renewed twice for a maximum period of 15 days.
“Moreover, lawyers in terrorist cases cannot attend investigations with their client, except after 48 hours from the start date of the arrest,” al-Masoudi added.
Several organizations and political parties expressed their fear of “disrespecting legal procedures and covering up behind vague charges such as conspiracy against state security to rid Saied of his political rivals.”
The Tunisian Association of Women Democrats (ATFD) condemned the arrests which it labeled as arbitrary.
The ATFD denounced arresting political activists who exercise their right to difference in a peaceful framework. It likewise denounced the methods of arrest and detention, which were characterized by terror and intimidation, flouting the security of the houses and families of activists.
