The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) has requested clarification on the interrogation of Ennahda leader Rached Ghannouchi by Tunisian authorities, a former parliamentarian said on Saturday, as reported by the Anadolu news agency.
Maher Madhioub said on Facebook that the IPU’s Human Rights Committee had sought clarification from Tunisian authorities on the freezing of Ghannouchi’s bank accounts and his travel ban.
He said Ghannouchi, leader of the main Islamist party Ennahdha, had filed a complaint with the rights committee once morest the Tunisian measures, without providing further details.
There was no comment from the Tunisian authorities on the former lawmaker’s claim.
Ghannouchi is due to appear before a Tunisian judge on Tuesday to be questioned over allegations of suspicious financial dealings at the charity Namaa Tounes, which authorities have accused of financing terrorism.
The move came following Tunisian authorities froze the financial assets of Ghannouchi and nine others, including his son and former prime minister Hamadi Jebali.
Ghannouchi revealed last Monday that he expects to be arrested on July 19 when he will appear before the country’s counter-terrorism prosecutor, in connection with investigations into Namaa Tounes Charity.
Ghannouchi is among dozens of people targeted by the investigation that was launched following the arrest of former Prime Minister Hamadi Jebali late last month in connection with the case. Jebali was later released as his health deteriorated following his hunger strike.
The Home Office accused Jebali of being involved in a money laundering scheme in relation to the charity. The former prime minister has denied any wrongdoing and is also expected to appear for questioning on July 20 before the counterterrorism prosecutor.
Tunisia has been in the grip of a deep political crisis since July 2021, when President Kais Saied overthrew the government, suspended parliament and assumed executive power. He then dissolved the Assembly following lawmakers held a session to revoke his measures.
While Saied insists his measures were aimed at “saving” the country, critics have accused him of orchestrating a coup.
Tunisians will vote in a July 25 referendum on a new constitution, decried by critics as backpedaling on democratic gains.
