Tunisian Judiciary Seeks to Place Activist on Interpol List Amid Political Turmoil
In a controversial move, the Tunisian judiciary has requested the inclusion of political activist Thamer Badida on Interpol's wanted lists. This action stems from charges of conspiring against state security and attempting to form a 'terrorist cell.' Badida, who is currently residing in the United States, gained notoriety for his vocal criticism of President Kais Saied's administration and his calls for the election of an opposition candidate, Ayachi Zamal.
According to Hanane Qaddas, the spokeswoman for the Tunis Anti-Terrorism Court, the Public Prosecution has initiated investigations into Badida's activities, alleging that he incited violence and chaos within Tunisia. Specifically, Qaddas stated that Badida's actions included inciting residents to attack each other and promoting civil disobedience, which she claims undermined the state's authority and security. The judiciary's request for Interpol's involvement highlights the escalating tensions in Tunisia as the country approaches its upcoming presidential elections on Sunday.
Background on Thamer Badida and the Political Climate in Tunisia
Thamer Badida is the founder of the July 25 Path party, which initially supported President Saied before he shifted to an opposition stance. The judiciary's actions against him follow a video where he criticized the government's institutions and called for the election of Zamal, who is currently imprisoned on charges of forgery. Despite his legal troubles, Zamal remains a candidate in the presidential race, which has drawn significant attention due to its limited pool of candidates. As of September 2, the electoral commission confirmed that only three candidates would compete: President Saied, Zamal, and Zuhair Al-Maghzawi.
This situation underscores the ongoing political strife in Tunisia, where the judiciary's actions against dissenters raise concerns about freedom of expression and the state of democracy in the country.
