EU following arrest of Ennahda Party leader in Tunisia with 'great concern'

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

GENEVA (AA) - The EU said on Tuesday that it is following developments in the North African nation of Tunisia with "great concern," especially the arrest of the Ennahda Party leader.

"We are following with great concern the latest developments in Tunisia, in particular the arrest last night of Mr. Rached Ghannouchi as well as the information concerning the closure of the headquarters of the Ennahda party in Tunis," Nabila Massrali, EU spokesperson for foreign affairs and security policy, said in a statement.

Noting that this arrest adds to a series of ongoing detentions of political actors from various opposition groups, Massrali said: "While awaiting official information on the reasons for this arrest, we recall the importance of respecting the rights of the defense as well as the right to a fair trial."

"We also underline the fundamental principle of political pluralism," she said. "These elements are essential for any democracy and form the basis of the European Union's partnership with Tunisia."

Tunisian security forces late Monday arrested Ghannouchi and took him in for interrogation at a National Guard building in the capital Tunis.

On Facebook, senior Ennahda Party official and former Foreign Minister Rafik Abdessalem said security forces raided Ghannouchi's home and took him to the El-Aouina National Guard base, in northern Tunis.

Tunisian authorities have yet to comment on the arrest.

On Feb. 21, Ghannouchi went to the judiciary to answer accusations of incitement against security forces, but he was set free after giving testimony.

Since Feb. 11, Tunisian authorities have launched a widespread arrest campaign against critics of President Kais Saied, accusing them of being part of a conspiracy against state security.

Tunisia has been in the throes of a deep political crisis since 2021, when Saied ousted the government and dissolved parliament.