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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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Hezbollah Softens Tone after US Envoy Barrack’s Beirut Visit

Lebanese government meets under President Joseph Aoun’s chairmanship (AP)
Lebanese government meets under President Joseph Aoun’s chairmanship (AP)
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Hezbollah Softens Tone after US Envoy Barrack’s Beirut Visit

Lebanese government meets under President Joseph Aoun’s chairmanship (AP)
Lebanese government meets under President Joseph Aoun’s chairmanship (AP)

The Lebanese government’s decision to move toward ending the armed presence of Hezbollah across the country has set off a heated political debate, with eyes now on how Israel will respond following US-brokered talks in Beirut.

US envoy Tom Barrack met Lebanese President Joseph Aoun at the presidential palace this week in what officials described as a constructive round of diplomacy.

The envoy conveyed that Beirut had taken the “first step” by pledging to disarm Hezbollah by year’s end, and said Israel must now reciprocate within the framework of a ceasefire.

Hezbollah, which initially reacted with fiery rhetoric to the government’s announcement, has notably toned down its messaging since Barrack’s visit.

The group has issued no fresh threats, while Mustafa Bayram, a former minister aligned with Hezbollah, struck a more symbolic note on Wednesday, saying the movement “will remain like a seed growing in the dark, destined to blossom into spring.”

Kataeb Party Slams Hezbollah Rhetoric

The Kataeb Party lashed out at Hezbollah deputy chief Naim Qassem, who recently warned of civil war if the group’s weapons were challenged.

Party leader Samy Gemayel chaired a political bureau meeting that described Qassem’s remarks as a “serious threat to national security and social peace.”

Kataeb said Qassem’s comments echoed those of senior Iranian official Ali Larijani, accusing Hezbollah of prioritizing Tehran’s interests over Lebanon’s.

The party reaffirmed that only constitutional institutions had the authority to decide on weapons, urging the army to present its operational plan for implementing the government’s decision.

Lebanese Forces: Hezbollah’s Legitimacy Eroded

Fadi Karam, a lawmaker from the Lebanese Forces bloc, said Hezbollah had lost any “legitimate cover” for its arsenal.

He dismissed talk of internal strife, arguing security forces were in control.

“All this scaremongering is pressure to prevent the army from executing government decisions,” he said, adding Hezbollah had brought only “destruction” to Lebanon.

Karam called for curbing Hezbollah’s “ideological project” and stressed Lebanon must resist external ambitions, whether from Israel or Iran.

Bilal Abdallah of the Progressive Socialist Party expressed strong backing for Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and his cabinet.

He said the government was committed to stability and implementing UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which calls for an Israeli withdrawal from occupied Lebanese land, the return of detainees and an end to attacks and assassinations.

“Stability is a prerequisite for political consensus, investment and economic recovery,” Abdallah said, while warning against personal attacks on Salam, who he said enjoyed parliamentary legitimacy and significant national support.