Tunisian authorities release 3 politicians after 6 months under house arrest

By Yosra Ounas

TUNIS, Tunisia (AA) - A Tunisian party said Tuesday that authorities have released three politicians, including a former minister, after they were held for more than six months under house arrest.

The head of the El Amal Wa Enjaz party, Abdellatif Mekki, identified those released as Mohamed Ben Salem, Ahmad El-Amari and Ali Ellafi.

Ben Salem was a senior figure in the Ennahda party, a former minister and is currently a member of the El Amal Wa Enjaz party. El-Amari is a senior figure in the Ennahda party and former parliamentarian, while Ellafi is a political activist.

Authorities have yet to comment on the releases.

Officials have cracked down on opponents since February, arresting several media figures, activists and politicians.

Tunisia has been in the throes of a deep political crisis that has aggravated the country's economic conditions since President Kais Saied ousted the government and dissolved parliament in 2021.

Saied insists the measures were meant to "save" the country but critics have accused him of orchestrating a coup.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar