An international arrest notice has been issued by Tunisia against former President Moncef Marzouki, a month after he called on France to end support for the administration he dissolved in July, state news agency TAP reported.
An inquiry was opened by the Tunisian justice ministry into the 76-year-old Marzouki by the orders of President Kais Saied, days after the ex-leader urged France not to support Saied’s “dictatorial regime”.
No reasons were given for Thursday’s warrant by the state television, and the prosecution was not immediately available for comment.
Marzouki told international outlets that he was not surprised by the arrest warrant and called it “a threatening message to all Tunisians.”
The former Tunisian President has emerged as a vocal critic of Saied, who on July 25 sacked the government, suspended the legislature and seized control of the judiciary. Furthermoreü he has used media appearances to accuse Saied of carrying out a coup.
In October, Marzouki told anti-Saied demonstrators in Paris that Saied had “plotted against the revolution and abolished the constitution.” Days later, this was met with a reply from Saied, who accused “traitors that seek refuge overseas” of threatening Tunisia’s sovereignty whiel also ordering an enquiry against Marzouki and revoked his diplomatic passport.
Saied expressed that, “He is the greatest enemy of Tunisia.”
Marzouki responded that he was “not concerned by any decision issued by these illegitimate authorities.”
Marzouki has been living in exile in France for 10 years during the rule of Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.
