Amnesty: At least 97 arrested in Tunisia as authorities escalate pre-election crackdown

Tunisian authorities have stepped up their campaign on the clampdown of the freedom of expression and association ahead of the presidential elections on 6 October 2024, that’s according to Amnesty International, who say authorities are ‘escalating their harassment of political opponents, restricting the work of journalists, human rights defenders and NGOS and taking steps to further undermine judicial independence’. 

Amnesty report that at least 97 members of opposition group Ennahda were arrested between 12 and 13 September.  Those detained were denied access to their lawyers for 48 hours and were brought before the anti-terrorism brigade for questioning. They are being investigated for conspiracy charges and other charges under the counter-terrorism law.