July 19 (EUROPA PRESS) –
The leader of the Tunisian Islamist party Ennahda, Rachid Ghanuchi, has appeared before an anti-terrorist court on Tuesday for the charges brought against him in relation to a case of alleged corruption and money laundering around a charity organization linked to the formation.
Ghanuchi has been accused of money laundering and financing of terrorist activities in connection with the investigations into the Namaa organization, although the Ennahda leader has denied these charges, according to the Tunisian state news agency, TAP.
The leader of the Islamist party – which had a majority in Parliament suspended in July 2021 by the president, Kais Saied, and later dissolved – has been accompanied by several of his lawyers.
The case has led to the opening of investigations against several senior officials in the country, including former Tunisian Prime Minister Hamadi Yebali. Also, a court ordered on July 6 to suspend the bank accounts of Ghanuchi and Yebali himself.
Ennahda has stated that the authorities seek to denigrate Ghanuchi ahead of the July 25 referendum on the draft Constitution defended by Saied, which has been the subject of much criticism from the opposition in recent months.
The Tunisian president arrogated all powers to himself in July 2021 after dissolving the government and suspending Parliament, which has led the opposition to denounce a totalitarian drift. Ennahda and other parties have called for a boycott of next week’s referendum.
Add Comment