At a press briefing in Geneva, the spokesperson for the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights denounced the “rising repression” in Tunisia, after several arrests of political activists, former judges and an influential businessman.

Volker Türk expressed “concern about the worsening repression against those perceived as political opponents and members of civil society in Tunisia, in particular through actions taken by the authorities to continue to undermine the independence of judiciary”, adding that since Saturday, “at least nine people, including former officials, have been arrested and some detained on security or corruption charges.”

Late last week, Tunisian security services arrested political activists, former magistrates, and an influential businessman. On Monday, a former deputy of the Islamist party Ennadhha and the director of a private radio were also arrested.