Tunisian blogger Olfa Riahi unleashed “Sheraton Gate” late last year when she published documents and bills on her Facebook page that implicated the Tunisian Foreign Minister, Rafik Abdessalem—who is also the Ennahda Movement leader’s brother-in-law— in squandering public money.

Tunisian blogger Olfa Riahi unleashed “Sheraton Gate” late last year when she published documents and bills on her Facebook page that implicated the Tunisian Foreign Minister, Rafik Abdessalem—who is also the Ennahda Movement leader’s brother-in-law— in squandering public money.

The documents show that the foreign minister stayed five nights at the Sheraton Hotel on the the Ministry’s bill, despite his entitlement to a government accommodation. Refuting the charge, the foreign minister said he had stayed in the hotel due to late working hours. The blogger further claimed that Minister Abdessalem spent one of those nights at the hotel with a woman.  The minister denied that claim, stating that the woman was his relative and they met to discuss a family affair. He said he would sue the blogger for these accusations.

Olfa Riahi, most media outlets have reported different news about the documents and bills you published on your blog on December 26, 2012, showing that the foreign minister had squandered public money.

That is exactly what happened. I have obtained, through my own sources, bills proving Foreign Minister Rafik Abdessalem’s involvement in financial and moral corruption issues.

Mohamed Abbou, the Conference for the Republic Party (CPR) Secretary General has declared that he possesses these and other documents. Has this party authorized you to uncover their government partners’ practices?

Abbou and others can declare what they want, but my sources are not CPR, and I will never ever disclose them.

But the circulated news states that you are a CPR supporter?

I do not have a membership card; however, political orientation is irrelevant in terms of filing a lawsuit against a minister. After all, I believe partisanship is a personal issue, and I may tell you quite frankly that CPR is the closest to me.

Before his resignation, the president’s former media advisor, Ayoub Massoudi – a CPR member – made statements against Ennahda Movement through a TV channel, but his party did not support him in this case.

CPR did not force Massoudi to make those statements; rather, he voluntarily did so. In addition, he defected from the party and quit his post. In the end, everybody is free to declare whatever he likes.

Why did you choose that particular time to publish the documents, especially since their publication coincided with the rejection of the Ennahda block to approve the presidential budget?

I would like to publically clarify that I started receiving these documents nearly two months before their publication, and soon after verifying them I published them so that all citizens could learn the truth.

How could you verify documents that condemn the foreign minister and the ruling party head’s brother-in-law?

The verification process took more than two months. I started with examining the Foreign Ministry’s accounts, and sought the help of many personal friends and acquaintances to verify that the minister was at the hotel on the date stated in the bills. I am now in the process of verifying new documents implicating other persons as well.

Do you intend to publish these documents soon?

Yes, once I ascertain their authenticity. And I shall spare no effort to disclose any facts that may benefit this country one way or the other.

Does this constitute a challenge to the government?

Not at all. I support the government because it is legitimate and elected. But, I am against any form of corruption and abuse of power, and will continue fighting corruption and corrupt people.

Have you received threats from the government or its supporters?

Not yet. But, I am facing fierce media attacks by the ruling Ennahda Movement. This however will never affect my resolve, despite their recent declaration that I have become implicated in this case, while I am de facto a witness.

What is your position towards the judiciary after appearing before the Investigating Magistrate?

I have great confidence in the judiciary system. I have presented all the documents in my possession, and I am happy about the independence of the judicial system and freedom of expression achieved in our country. I thank all those who have struggled to realize these goals.