Investigation into the death of Tunisian President, Beji Caid Essebsi – Response by his son

Hafez Caid Essebsi: I appreciate the opening of an investigation with regard to my father’s death.  Malicious charges have been fabricated against me to obscure the truth.

Today, Wednesday 29 December, 2021, Hafez Caid Essebsi affirmed that his family welcomed the opening of an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of his father, the former President Beji Caid Essebsi, which he described as suspicious. He reminded that he raised doubts about the timing and circumstances of the death; he emphasised that doubts have persisted, despite all the efforts exerted and the valuable briefing of the civilian and military medical staff.

Caid Essebsi, through a post on his Facebook page, considered that opening an investigation with regard to the issue of his father’s death is positive, even after more than two and a half years since his death, stressing that “the late President was a President of the Republic for all Tunisians without exception, and has a strong legal symbolism for all, reflected during his solemn funeral, when his people came out for his last farewell.

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He indicated that the people and his family have the right to know the truth and to ascertain whether his father’s death was natural or not, referring to the bickering and struggles for power that existed at that stage, and that he was subjected to humiliating treatment after his father’s death, reminding that he had previously confirmed the doubts about timing and circumstances of his father’s suspicious death.

“I was threatened and there were attempts at malicious charges against me and my family, and I think this was related to my father’s death file in order to obliterate the truth. We also do not forget the late President’s refusal to sign the amendment to the exclusionary electoral law and his sudden illness and, then, his death three months before the date of the legislative and presidential elections have completely changed the political situation in Tunisia.” he continued.

It is noteworthy that the Minister of Justice, Leila Jaffal, had authorised yesterday, Tuesday, the opening of an investigation into the circumstances of the death of former President Beji Caid Essebsi, and to conduct the necessary criminal investigations against anyone who will be convicted.