Tunisian media reported on Saturday that authorities have placed Bashir al-Akari, the suspended prosecutor for two weeks, under house arrest. Widely popular radio station "Mosaic FM" stated that there is a government decision preventing al-Akari from leaving his residence for 40 days, subject to renewal. The decision also prohibits any communication with him except through a means of communication approved by those responsible for enforcing public authority decisions. In Tunisia, the term "prosecutor" refers to those holding the position of deputy public prosecutor or investigating judge.
Al-Akari, associated with the Ennahda Islamist movement, was suspended from his position in mid-July, and his case was referred for investigation regarding charges of concealing more than 6,000 files and terrorist cases. He is accused of complicity in terrorist cases, particularly the assassinations of political opponents Chokri Belaid and Mohamed Brahmi. The Tunisian authorities' decision to suspend al-Akari was prompted by the defense committee for Belaid and Brahmi, which relied on a report from the Ministry of Justice, claiming that al-Akari was serving the interests of the Ennahda movement.
Recently, Tunisian President Kais Saied announced exceptional measures to confront the dangers facing the country, including suspending parliament, dismissing the government, and taking on the role of the public prosecutor. The defense committee for Brahmi and Belaid expressed concerns over Saied assuming judicial duties, as the case of the political opponents has faced obstruction allegedly involving the Ennahda movement to prevent the prosecution of the actual killers, according to the committee.
