‘Concerned’ Malaysia appeals to Tunisia to accord ‘special consideration’ to ailing Ghannouchi

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) - Expressing "deep concern" over recent political developments in Tunisia, Malaysia has asked Tunisian authorities that “special consideration and mercy” be accorded to Ennahda Party leader Rached Ghannouchi.

Zambry Abdul Kadir, the foreign minister of the Southeast Asian nation, acknowledged that these “developments constitute Tunisia’s internal affairs.”

But, he added: “Owing to his health and age, we appeal for special consideration and mercy to be accorded to Rached Ghannouchi during this blessed month of Ramadan.”

Ramadan is a month of fasting for Muslims across the globe.

Tunisian security forces arrested Ghannouchi, 81, who is also a former speaker of the Assembly of the Representatives of the People, late Monday and took him in for interrogation at a National Guard building in the capital Tunis.

Türkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said late Tuesday that he will speak to authorities in Tunisia to convey his concern over the arrest of Ghannouchi.

“The current administration in Tunisia arrested brother Ghannouchi. We have not yet been able to contact the authorities in Tunisia over the phone but will continue to try to reach them. If we are able to speak to them, we will tell them that we do not find this appropriate,” Erdogan said in a televised interview.

In Kuala Lumpur, Zambry said: “Malaysia is following developments in Tunisia” including the detention of Ghannouchi.

He added that Malaysia “sincerely hopes that national reconciliation and consensus would be the path towards bringing about progress and prosperity for the people of Tunisia.”

“We always wish the best for the brotherly country of Tunisia and its people,” he added.

The EU also said on Tuesday that it is following developments in the North African nation of Tunisia with "great concern," especially the arrest of the Ennahda Party leader.

“We are following with great concern the latest developments in Tunisia, in particular the arrest last night of Mr. Rached Ghannouchi as well as the information concerning the closure of the headquarters of the Ennahda party in Tunis," Nabila Massrali, EU spokesperson for foreign affairs and security policy, said in a statement.

On Facebook, senior Ennahda Party official and former Foreign Minister Rafik Abdessalem said security forces raided Ghannouchi's home and took him to the El-Aouina National Guard base, in northern Tunis.

Tunisian authorities have yet to comment on the arrest.

On Feb. 21, Ghannouchi went to the judiciary to answer accusations of incitement against security forces, but he was set free after giving testimony.

Since Feb. 11, Tunisian authorities have launched a widespread arrest campaign against critics of President Kais Saied, accusing them of being part of a conspiracy against state security.

Tunisia has been in the throes of a deep political crisis since 2021 when Saied ousted the government and dissolved parliament.