Tunisian police arrested Lotfi Mraihi, the leader of the Republican Union Party and a candidate in the upcoming presidential election, on suspicion of money laundering. Mraihi, a vocal critic of President Kais Saied, was detained late Wednesday, according to politicians and local media.
A Tunis court spokesperson stated earlier this week that Mraihi faces charges of money laundering and operating bank accounts abroad without central bank approval. This arrest occurs amid accusations from opposition parties that Saied’s government is pressuring the judiciary to target his rivals ahead of the 2024 elections to secure his re-election.
While Saied, elected in 2019, has not officially declared his candidacy for the October 6 election, he is widely expected to seek a second term. He has previously stated he would not hand power to what he termed “non-patriots.”
Abir Moussi, leader of the Free Constitutional Party and a prominent candidate, has been in prison since last year on charges of harming public security. Her party claims her imprisonment is intended to remove her from the election race, which the authorities deny.
Other candidates, including Safi Saeed, Nizar Chaari, and Abd Ellatif Mekki, face prosecution for alleged crimes such as fraud and money laundering. Mondher Znaidi, another potential candidate living in France, is under investigation for suspected financial corruption.
The opposition argues that fair and credible elections cannot occur unless imprisoned politicians are released and the media operates without government pressure. Saied, who seized extensive powers in 2021 by dissolving parliament and ruling by decree, insists his actions were legal and necessary to combat widespread corruption among the political elite.
Since last year, prominent opponents, including businessmen, media figures, and politicians, have been detained on charges of conspiring against state security.
