Tunisia opposition Islamists protest leaders arrests
(23 Dec 2022) RESTRICTION SUMMARY: ASSOCIATED PRESS Tunis, Tunisia - 23 December 2022 1. Various of protest by supporters of Tunisia's Islamist movement Ennahda 2. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Mohamed Goumani, member of the political bureau of the Ennahda movement: "The arrest of the former prime minister and deputy leader of the Ennahda movement, Ali Larayedh, is a political and not a judicial decision, which is why we are demonstrating today in front of a ministry which symbolises executive authority to say that the power court in accordance with the instructions is completed. And what is called the deportation case, in which hundreds of defendants were heard neither by the main investigator nor by the investigating judge." 3. Various of protesters including Ennahda movement leader and former minister of justice Noureddine Bhiri (screen right, black jacket, glasses) 4. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Noureddine Bhiri, Ennahda movement leader and former Tunisian minister of justice: "We are here to support brother Ali Larayedh, who was imprisoned on political affairs and in the implementation of an option to liquidate opponents of the coup. We also came to say no to false power and not illegal, no to the lack of credibility as expressed by the Tunisian General Labor Union (UGTT). We came to say that we withdrew the proxy of Kaies Saied." 5. Various of Ministry of Justice exterior 6. Various of protesters 7. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Houda Saki, local general secretary for Ennahda movement: "Is there solid evidence? It does not exist. Yes, there is no evidence to convict him so far. If there's any incriminating evidence, let them bring it to us. The leader of the movement himself was tried on the background of things found on Facebook." 8. Various of Palace of Justice exterior 9. People in street STORYLINE: Dozens of supporters of Tunisia's Ennahda Islamist movement joined a demonstration on Friday in front of the Justice Ministry in Tunis to denounce the arrest of one of its senior leaders. Last Monday, an anti-terrorism judge ordered the imprisonment of former prime minister Ali Larayedh, Ennahda's vice president, after a long questioning. The case has already seen other leaders of the Islamist opposition party prosecuted, including the group's president Rached Ghanouchi. Political tensions in Tunisia have remained heightened. Just 11% of voters turned out for the first round of legislative elections on Sunday as many parties and voters boycotted an effort by Saied to reshape the political system. Protesters demanded the release of Larayedh, saying the arrest earlier this week was politically motivated. They called it part of efforts by President Kais Saied to marginalize the popular movement and distract the public from his political troubles. "We are here to support brother Ali Larayedh, who was imprisoned on political affairs and in the implementation of an option to liquidate opponents of the coup," said the leader of Ennahda, Noureddine Bhiri, referring to the elections. Ennahda was the biggest party in Tunisia’s last parliament when Saied dissolved it last year. =========================================================== Clients are reminded to adhere to all listed restrictions and to check the terms of their licence agreements. For further assistance, please contact the AP Archive on: Tel +44(0)2074827482 Email: [email protected]. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter: / ap_archive Facebook: / aparchives Instagram: / apnews You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...
