Tunisia’s opposition chief faces counter-terrorism probe ahead of key vote – Times of India

TUNIS: The leaders of Tunisia’s Islamist-inspired opposition party Ennahdha arrived at the counter-terrorism center on Tuesday for questioning by an investigative judge, days ahead of a heated constitutional referendum.
More than 20 security vans were stationed in front of the headquarters of the Anti-Terrorism Center, where around 200 Ennahadha activists had gathered in support of their leader. Rachit GhanouchiAFP reporters said.
Supporters chanted Ghanouchi’s name as soon as they entered the building, making V-signs with their fingers and waving placards for victory.
“Stop the political trials”, read one, written in both English and Arabic.
DhanouchiThe 81-year-old has been under investigation since June amid allegations of corruption and money laundering linked to transfers from overseas at Ennahdha-affiliated charity Naama Tunisia.
As part of the same investigation, Tunisian authorities arrested Hamdi, a former prime minister and one-time Ennahdha leader, last month. jebalik for alleged money laundering.
Jebali was later released, but is facing questioning on the charges on Wednesday.
Earlier this month, a court ordered the freezing of the bank accounts of Ghanouchi and his family and a dozen members of his party – including Jebali – as part of the investigation.
In June, Ghanouchi was banned from traveling abroad as part of a separate investigation into the high-profile political murders that rocked the country in 2013.
Ennahdha and Ghannouchi deny all charges against them.
Tunisia’s long-running political crisis took a dramatic turn last July when President Kais Syed sacked the government, sealed the Ennahadha-dominated parliament, headed by Ghanouchi, and seized far-reaching powers.
Saeed has prepared a draft constitution for a referendum on July 25, the anniversary of his capture of power.
Opponents accused him of waging political vendetta and pulling the country back into dictatorship, as its pro-democracy insurgency for more than a decade sparked the Arab Spring uprising.