Tunisian judiciary blames Rached Ghannouchi for “expressions of terrorism”

The General Secretariat of the Tunisian security forces submitted an official complaint to the judiciary against the leader of the Muslim Brotherhood, Rached Ghannouchi, after he called the security elements “tyrants”.

On February 21, Ghannouchi attended the funeral of Ennahdha Shura Council member Farhat al-Abbar, former director of Al Jazeera’s office in the southern province of Tataouine.

“He was brave and did not fear a ruler or a tyrant”, he said.

“Al-Abbar had a lot of courage and did not fear poverty, the ruler, or the tyrants”, he said.

Observers believe terrorists are the only ones who use such phrases, usually targeting security forces, the military and the state.

Moez al-Dababi, assistant secretary-general of the Internal Security Forces, said Monday that the case was referred to the judiciary on February 25th.

Al-Dababi said Ghannouchi’s categorization of the security personnel as “thugs” is an invitation to terrorist groups to liquidate security personnel and target them. He said the judicial rulings in such cases could reach five years.

Al-Dababi added that the General Secretariat of the Internal Security Forces has so far filed three cases, the first against former Dean of Lawyers Abderrazak Kilani, the second against Yousri al-Dali, and the third against al-Ghannouchi.

On January 2, Abderrazak Kilani, a lawyer for Brotherhood leader and former justice minister Noureddine Bhiri, who is under house arrest on terrorism charges, attacked security forces in Bizerte and incited them to revolt in order to liberate Bhiri.

On February 14, Yousri al-Dali, a frozen parliamentarian from the Dignity Coalition party said that all forces carrying arms, including police, guards, and army personnel and supporters of Tunisian President Kais Saied will be held accountable, calling them supporters of the coup.