Tunisian major opposition party, Ennahda a self-styled ‘Muslim Democrat’ party in Tunisian Parliament with its leader Rached Ghannouchi was one of the major voices protesting the dissolution of the parliament since June 2021. Ghannouchi was arrested from his residence in Tunis last week. Following the arrest the headquarters of the Ennahda was raided by the Police where the unwarranted search was carried out. People working there were not allowed to perform any task during the operation. During the raid three prominent members of the party: Md. Goumani, Balkacem Hassan and Md. Chnaiba was arrested.
Ennahda Lawyer Monia Bouali reported to Reuters that, Ghannouchi was charged with abetting terrorist activities and inflammatory comments against the Government. At a press conference on Monday, Ennahda’s Vice President Mondher Lounissi said that Ghannouchi was brought before the Al-Awina Police Barracks for questioning, and not a single lawyer was allowed to guide or oversee the interrogation. This is the reason why Ennahda called this arrest a ‘Kidnapping’.
Tunisian Daily La Presse de Tunisie reported that Ennahda was called the Political heart of the Civil war in the political Islam groups thus the warrant was issued in that concern. Prosecutors have collected all materials required for their case from Ennahda’s house.
In July 2021, Ghannouchi served as the speaker of the Parliament and Ennahda was a dominant force playing a crucial role in the political sphere of the country. But President Kais Saied later dissolved the house since which criticisms of the government and their policies are carried out by the Ennahda’ acquired FM radio, Social media handles. Various businessmen, activists, and ministers were an active force operating the opposition wing and contributing to the work of the Ennahda.
The global scenario of suppression of the Criticisms has seen a new turn, starting from the media, activists now the entire opposition of the government is sceptical about its sustenance because of the government intervention to dissolve the entire party. Democracy is yet again compromised here and truly the practice of autocracy through the veil of majority rule is a widespread global scenario
Swarnabh Saha, BComLLB(H) Sem-6,St.Xavier’s University, Kolkata
