One of the most important events that occurred at the end of the past year was the placement of Noureddine Al-Bhiri, a member of the frozen parliament and the deputy head of the Ennahda movement, under house arrest.
This new issue was the subject of a debate within the national public opinion between a supporter and a critic, given the method adopted by the Ministry of Interior in implementing the two administrative decisions taken by Interior Minister Tawfiq Sharaf Al-Din to place the latter and former Interior Ministry official Fathi Baldi under house arrest.
As for those sympathetic to Al-Bhiri, whether from his party, colleagues in parliament, or lawyers, they questioned the legality of this procedure.
In its communiqué, the ministry affirmed its keenness to adhere to the guarantees assured by the constitution and the legislation in force, especially in terms of providing adequate conditions and the necessary health briefing for those concerned with this decision.
For its part, the Ennahda Movement issued a statement after the arrest of one of its most important leaders accusing the Tunisian authorities of “kidnapping him”.
For their part, a number of lawyers decided to engage in an open sit-in at the headquarters of the head of the lawyers branch in Tunisia, Mohamed Hadfi, who in turn informed the public that the sit-in would remain open, pending taking all necessary measures to defend al-Bhiri in view of a total absence of guarantees, and they hold the President responsible for the physical safety of Noureddine Al-Bhiri.
Contrary to questioning the legality of placing Al-Bhiri under house arrest, there are those who affirmed its legitimacy and legality, considering that the latter, regardless of his profession and party affiliation, is a Tunisian citizen and this measure can affect any citizen, and in parallel with that, a demand was made to expedite the passing of the file to justice until it says its word while providing fair trial guarantees.
Regardless of whether the arrest has political or security dimensions, Al-Bhiri will be investigated, according to some leaks, on charges of granting “taxi” licenses to suspects in terrorist cases and dead people, and perhaps other charges that will be revealed later, especially during his tenure as Minister of Justice in the government of Hammadi Jbali between 2011 and 2013.
