Tunisian authorities escalate pre-election crackdown and arrest Islamists en masse

Associated Press

TUNIS, Tunisia (AP) — Dozens of members of Tunisia’s largest opposition party have been arrested this week ahead of the formal start this weekend of the campaign season for the country’s presidential election. Ennahda officials reported Friday that at least 80 members were apprehended. The arrests were part of a countrywide sweep. Ennahda called the arrests “an unprecedented campaign of raids.” Former Minister Ahmed Gaaloul said the party was checking at least 108 total arrests. The arrests included high-ranking party officials. The mass arrests marred an already turbulent election season. President Kais Saied has long been expected to win a second term. Authorities have arrested many of his potential opponents.