Tunisian president pardons several Islamists
Tunisia, Politics, 11/4/2004

Diplomatic sources said that the Tunisian president Zine al-Abidin Ben Ali issued a pardon for several Islamic prisoners detained including several members of the political party of the banned Islamic al-Nahda movement.

Officials in the International Society In Support of Political Detainees said that the number of the released persons reached 32 prisoners from the police centers in Tunis, Safaqis, and Qabis while a diplomatic source said the number reached 80.

Among the released were the spokesman for al-Nahda movement Ali al-Areed, Ziad al-Doulatli, Mustafa Bin Halima who were sentenced to 15 year imprisonment.

Certain sides described the pardon as a humanitarian gesture from the side of the Tunisian president during the holy month of Ramadan. This step came ten days after Ben Ali was reelected so as his term of office will extend for other five years.

Certain human rights activists in Tunis and outside it considered this act is the first for the President after his election and is represented in issuing a general pardon for 500 political detainees in the country's jails.

Previous Stories:
  Ben Ali wins the Tunisian elections; Tunisian opposition protests   (10/26/2004)
  Partial results indicate Ben Ali to win the Tunisian Presidential elections at 90%   (10/25/2004)
  Main opposition party in Tunisia withdraws from elections   (10/22/2004)

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