Title: Escaped Tunisian detainees arrested after a week on the run
Introduction: The five Tunisian detainees convicted of terrorism who escaped from Mornaguia prison in Tunis were arrested by the authorities on Tuesday, after a week on the run. Among them is Ahmed Melki, assassin of the left-wing political opponent, Chokri Belaïd, in 2013.
After a week of intensive tracking, the five Tunisian detainees who escaped from Mornaguia prison in Tunis were finally arrested by the authorities. Among them is Ahmed Melki, known for being the assassin of Chokri Belaïd, a left-wing political opponent, in 2013.
The spectacular escape took place last Tuesday, leaving the Tunisian Interior Ministry distraught and pointing the finger of complicity both inside and outside Tunisia. The escape highlighted flaws in the prison system and prompted the dismissal of the prison director as well as two directors general of the Interior Ministry.
After their escape, the five fugitives found themselves holed up on Mount Boukornine, a wooded area located about thirty kilometers southeast of Tunis. Law enforcement mobilized different units, including the police, the national guard and the army, to find and arrest them.
The first arrest took place on November 5, when citizens of the Ettadhamen neighborhood helped authorities capture Ahmed Melki, also known as “The Somali.” He was involved in several political assassinations, including that of Chokri Belaïd in 2013, claimed by extremist Islamists.
President Kaïs Saïed declared that this escape had been planned for months and highlighted complicity within Tunisia itself. Authorities are continuing their investigation to determine the details of this escape and the role played by each individual involved.
These arrests come in a context where Tunisia has been fighting the rise of terrorism since its democratic revolution in 2011. Radicalization and the rise of jihadist groups have been a constant concern for the authorities who have launched significant efforts to combat this threat. .
Conclusion: The arrest of the five Tunisian inmates who escaped from Mornaguia prison puts an end to a week on the run and raises questions about the security of the Tunisian prison system. As authorities continue their investigation to understand the details of this escape planned for months, it is important to highlight Tunisia’s continued efforts in the fight against terrorism and radicalization.