Leaders of the Tunisian Ennahda Movement have condemned a recent wave of arrests targeting its members, calling it an injustice and a direct attack on political opposition. Approximately 80 members have been detained since last Monday in what the movement describes as an unprecedented crackdown. Many of those arrested are elderly and have been denied access to legal representation and necessary medical care. Among the detainees is Mohamed El-Kalawi, a prominent figure in the movement who has a history of political imprisonment dating back to the 1980s and 1990s. The Ennahda Movement's official spokesman, Imad Al-Khamiri, emphasized that these actions are aimed at criminalizing political activity and restricting civil liberties, especially as Tunisia approaches presidential elections.
The arrests have raised concerns about the targeting of the Ennahda Movement, which is perceived as a significant political force in Tunisia. Belkacem Hassan, a member of the movement's executive office, described the situation as a blatant attack on democratic life and party activity. He noted that the arrests followed a meeting of activists focused on advancing transitional justice, which has become a contentious issue in Tunisian politics. Critics, including Hisham Al-Ajbouni from the Democratic Current Party, argue that these arrests are politically motivated and part of a broader strategy to suppress dissent and manipulate electoral participation ahead of the upcoming elections, where President Kais Saied seeks re-election against other candidates, including those facing legal troubles.
