Tunisia’s anti-terrorism police have detained Ali Laarayedh, a former prime minister and senior official in the Ennahdha (Renaissance) party, for a day on suspicion of "sending jihadists to Syria," Reuters reported on Tuesday, citing the lawyer of the detained politician.
On Monday, as part of the same investigation, police summoned for questioning Rachid Ghannouchi, Ennahdha’s leader, who served as chairman of the Assembly of the Representatives of the People (unicameral parliament) until March 30, when Tunisian President Kais Saied announced the dissolution of the legislative body. Ghannouchi will be interrogated around noon on Tuesday after 14 hours, the agency notes.
Ghannouchi and his Ennahdha party associates have been consistently criticizing President Saied. The opposition accuses the head of state of violating the democratic rights and freedoms of citizens, including because Saied initiated the republican referendum that adopted Tunisia's new constitution on July 25.
The amendments to the basic law gave the head of state broader powers. He became commander-in-chief of the armed forces as well as head of the executive and can appoint and dismiss the prime minister at his discretion. Moreover, the president now has the primary right of legislative initiative.
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Based on materials from TASS