Tunisian opposition leader summoned by court for investigation

TUNIS, Tunisia – Tunisian opposition leader Ghazi Chaouachi, who is the Secretary-General of the Democratic Current, has announced on social media that he will appear before court after a judicial investigation was opened against him on charges of “disturbing public order.”

“I was informed a while ago by the Bar Association of a decision to refer me to the investigating judge of the Court of First Instance in Ben Arous over disturbing public order and disrupting the work of the government,” he said.

The Democratic Current had 22 deputies in the 217-member dissolved parliament.

Chaouachi alleged that the decision has been made by President Kais Saied and Justice Minister Laila Jaffal, who want to intimidate and threaten opposition leaders who desire a return to electoral democracy.

Chaouachi, 59, is a Tunisian lawyer who had previously served as Minister of State Property and Real Estate Affairs.

Tunisia has been in a deep political crisis since July 25, 2021, when Saied dismissed the government, suspended parliament and assumed executive authority, in a move decried by opponents as a “coup.” He later dissolved the parliament in March after lawmakers held a session to revoke his measures.