Tunisia: Ennahda denounces Ghannouchi investigation over ‘fabricated’ allegations

Ennahda Movement in Tunisia has denounced the latest investigation by the authorities of its President, Rached Ghannouchi, after charging him over “fabricated” allegations, Al-Quds Al-Arabi has reported. Ghannouchi was questioned by security forces earlier this week.

“This is a new episode in the targeting and intimidation of political figures opposed to the [Kais Saied] coup, and a ridiculous attempt to fabricate a case depending on a malicious interpretation of what Rachid Ghannouchi said during a funeral,” said Ennahda. “The eulogy he gave at the funeral of a former colleague did not mention the security forces, neither implicitly nor explicitly.”

The movement pointed out that the veteran politician is “a symbol of moderate thinking who has spent his life defending freedoms and democracy and fighting tyranny and intellectual extremism.” The evidence for this can be found in Ghannouchi’s writings and speeches, it said, both before and after the 2011 revolution. “This was especially so after the spread of extremist groups which declared governments to be infidels and targeted Tunisia’s national security forces and army.”

The Tunisian authorities have previously investigated Ghannouchi over an alleged “secret service” within Ennahda, and allegations of corruption and money laundering through the Namaa Tunisia Association. In a recent interview with Al-Quds Al-Arabi, Ghannouchi denied the existence of any secret service within the movement, and denied any connection with the association. “The fabricated charges were dropped after being investigated,” he pointed out.

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