Ghannouchi under investigation over terrorism accusations

Tunisian police questioned Nahda movement leader Rached Ghannouchi for more than 12 hours overnight, his lawyer said, over terrorism accusations.

The head of the Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated Ennahda party was summoned to meet the terrorism police on Tuesday and questioned from 5:00 p.m. until 6:00 a.m. on Wednesday, his lawyer Samir Dilou said.

Ghannouchi and another senior Ennahda figure, former prime minister Ali Lareyedh, were both initially summoned on Monday. Lareyedh was questioned through Monday evening and night and detained.

Both men, and Ennahda, deny the accusations the police are investigating, that they helped Tunisian extremists travel to Syria during the ISIS crisis a decade ago. They will face a judge later on Wednesday, Dilou said.

Ghannouchi was also investigated earlier this summer regarding accusations of money laundering, which he denied.

Last month several former security officials and two Ennahda members were arrested on charges connected to Tunisians travelling to fight with extremist groups.

Tunisians see Saied's actions legal and necessary to save their country from years of political paralysis and Brotherhood domination. A new constitution was passed in July with sweeping public approval through a referendum.