Tunisia’s opposition Workers’ Party has accused a supporter of President Kais Saied of publicly calling for the assassination of the party’s Secretary-General, Hamma Hammami.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the party said a man identified only by the initials R.N., described as a supporter of Saied, had posted a video on social media containing what it called “an explicit call” to assassinate Hammami because of his opposition to what the party described as “populist authoritarianism” since Saied’s power grab on 25 July 2021.
The party said the video remained available on social media and accused the authorities of failing to remove it or take action against its publisher. It alleged that the authorities, while quick to prosecute bloggers for expressing critical views, had not responded to the video.
It also said the video reflected what it described as the same threats and accusations that Saied has repeatedly directed at his political opponents, including politicians, journalists, civil society activists and trade unionists, as well as people calling for the right to work and a decent standard of living.
The Workers’ Party said the threats against Hammami would not weaken his resolve or that of his colleagues, adding that they remained committed to defending what it described as the Tunisian people’s legitimate rights to work, freedom and national dignity.
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