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Tunisia Expands Arrests of Individuals Accused of ‘Conspiring against State Security’

Tunisian President Kais Saied (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Tunisian President Kais Saied (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Tunisia Expands Arrests of Individuals Accused of ‘Conspiring against State Security’

Tunisian President Kais Saied (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Tunisian President Kais Saied (Asharq Al-Awsat)

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.

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Egypt Concerned Over Developments in Iran

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi meet in Istanbul last Saturday (Egyptian Foreign Ministry) 
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi meet in Istanbul last Saturday (Egyptian Foreign Ministry) 
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Egypt Concerned Over Developments in Iran

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi meet in Istanbul last Saturday (Egyptian Foreign Ministry) 
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi meet in Istanbul last Saturday (Egyptian Foreign Ministry) 

Egypt on Sunday expressed its “deep concern” over the latest developments in Iran following the US attacks on the country’s nuclear sites. It condemned the growing escalation, warning of its serious consequences on regional and international peace and security.

Although the foreign ministry’s statement did not directly refer to the US, an Egyptian diplomatic source told Asharq Al-Awsat, “We do not need to explain what is well-known. The Foreign Ministry statement condemned escalation following the US bombing. Everyone knows that Egypt meant the actions of Washington and not others.”
In the statement, Egypt reaffirmed its rejection of any violations of the UN Charter and international law, stressing the need to respect the sovereignty of states.
It also warned anew against the dangers should the region slide into further chaos and tension.
The statement emphasized that political solutions and diplomatic negotiations, not military action, are the only path to resolving the crisis and achieving a lasting settlement.
Egypt then renewed its call for de-escalation, self-restraint and dialogue, in order to protect civilian lives and preserve the security and stability of the region.

The statement came after the United States attacked early on Sunday Iran's three nuclear facilities at Fordo, Natanz and Isfahan. According to observers, the current escalation between Washington and Tehran is among the most dangerous in years.

Dr. Amr Al-Shobaki, an expert at Al-Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies, said Egypt has a strong strategic alliance with the US.

However, tension lately arose after US President Donald Trump insisted that Egypt should accept displaced Palestinians from the Gaza Strip.

In its FM statement condemning the attack on Iran, “Egypt did not want to clearly refer to the US,” Al-Shobaki told Asharq Al-Awsat.

He said Egypt’s statement spoke in general when it warned of the serious consequences on regional and international peace and security.

“Cairo expressed its concern about the strike, but did not directly mention the US. It wanted to prevent an open confrontation and further tension in relations between both countries,” Al-Shobaki added.

On Saturday night, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi spoke by phone with his Iranian counterpart, Masoud Pezeshkian, the Egyptian presidency said in a statement.

Sisi expressed Egypt's complete rejection of the ongoing Israeli escalation against Iran, unlike the FM statement released following the US strikes and which did not mention Washington.

Meanwhile, Egypt continues to exert efforts to deescalate tensions in the region.

In this regard, Sisi on Sunday spoke by phone with the Sultan of Oman, Haitham bin Tariq Al Said. Sisi emphasized the need to halt the ongoing escalation between Israel and Iran, warning of the grave consequences of the expanding conflict in the region.

Sisi also praised the role played by the Sultanate in mediating between Iran and the United States, stressing the need to restore and strengthen the negotiating process to spare the region the scourge of war.
Meanwhile, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty made two separate phone calls with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani on the need to avoid further chaos and tension in the region.

The ministers emphasized the importance of halting military escalation and achieving a ceasefire, a Foreign Ministry statement said.

“They called for prioritizing political and diplomatic solutions as the only viable path out of the current crisis,” it added.

They also underscored the need to respect the sovereignty of states, uphold international law and adhere to the United Nations Charter.