Lotfi Mraihi, leader of Tunisia’s Republican Union Party and a presidential candidate for the upcoming election, has been arrested on suspicion of money laundering. Mraihi, a vocal critic of President Kais Saied, is the latest in a growing list of opposition figures facing prosecution or imprisonment ahead of the October election.
Saied, who has not officially announced his candidacy but is expected to seek a second term, has been accused by opposition parties of pressuring the judiciary to target his political rivals and secure his re-election. Several prominent candidates, including Abir Moussi and Mondher Znaidi, are either in prison or facing prosecution on various charges such as fraud and corruption.
The opposition argues that fair and credible elections cannot occur unless imprisoned politicians are released and the media is allowed to work freely without government interference. Since assuming sweeping powers in 2021, Saied has faced criticism for his authoritarian measures, including dissolving parliament and ruling by decree.
Despite Saied’s claims that his actions are necessary to combat corruption in the political elite, many see the crackdown on dissenting voices as an attempt to consolidate power and silence opposition. The upcoming election is seen as a crucial test of Tunisia’s democratic credentials, with concerns over the government’s commitment to ensuring a free and fair electoral process.
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