The Tunisian authorities closed this Tuesday, April 18 the offices of the Islamo-conservative movement Ennahdha throughout the territory, the day after the arrest of its leader, Rached Ghannouchi, arousing a strong reaction ” worry “ of the European Union.
“A police force showed up at the party’s main headquarters (in Tunis) and ordered everyone inside to get out before closing it”told AFP one of the leaders of Ennahdha, Riadh Chaibi. “The police have also closed other party offices across the country and banned all meetings in these premises”he added.
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“A lot of concern”
The European Union, a key partner for Tunisia, has affirmed that it follows “with great concern the latest developments” in the country, “In particular the arrest yesterday evening (Monday) of Mr. Rached Ghannouchi as well as the information concerning the closure of the headquarters of the Ennahdha party in Tunis”.
Brussels recalled “the importance of respecting the rights of the defense as well as the right to a fair trial”. And regarding the closure of the premises of Ennahdha, the European Union underlined “the fundamental principle of political pluralism”considering that all these elements were “essential for any democracy” and constituted “the basis of the European Union’s partnership with Tunisia”.
Since November 2012, Tunisia has benefited from the status of privileged partner of the EU, which has accompanied it in the process of democratic transition initiated after the 2011 revolution by providing it with numerous aids and facilitated access to the single European market.
Tunisia: “A statesman can’t be prevented”
The arrest of Rached Ghannouchi comes after statements reported by the media, in which he claimed this weekend that Tunisia would be threatened with a ” civil war “ if political Islam, from which his party originated, was eliminated there. A source at the Interior Ministry quoted by Tunisian media confirmed that the arrest of Rached Ghannouchi was linked to these statements.
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France also deplored this arrest. She “is part of a worrying wave of arrests”declared the spokeswoman for the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs Anne-Claire Legendre, recalling Paris’ attachment to freedom of expression and respect for the rule of law.
France calls on the Tunisian authorities “to ensure respect for the independence of justice and the rights of the defence”added the spokesperson.
