Former spokesman for Ansar al-Sharia –  an outlawed organization accused by the government of involvement in assassinations and terrorist attacks in Tunisia— Seifeddin Rayes, was detained for over a year in Prison Mornaguia on charges of involvement in terrorism. Now a free man, he plans on pursuing graduate school.

Mr. Rayes, you were a spokesman for Ansar al-Sharia which is accused by the government of being behind terrorist acts.

Former spokesman for Ansar al-Sharia –  an outlawed organization accused by the government of involvement in assassinations and terrorist attacks in Tunisia— Seifeddin Rayes, was detained for over a year in Prison Mornaguia on charges of involvement in terrorism. Now a free man, he plans on pursuing graduate school.

Mr. Rayes, you were a spokesman for Ansar al-Sharia which is accused by the government of being behind terrorist acts.

When Ansar al-Sharia was founded in April 2011, I became its official spokesman. The organization’s work was voluntary and charitable, but when a decision was issued by the previous troika government to classify it as a terrorist organization, I broke away from it.

A recording was published on social networking sites in which you recognized IS.

During my detention, some tried to employ my case for political purposes, some incited against me, exploiting a recording in which they claimed that I recognized IS, while others even questioned my being in detention during my trial. I was arrested on terrorism charges and imprisoned for 14 months. However, thankfully, the case was dismissed and I was declared innocent. The detention experience was tough, but it finished.

The Ennahda-led troika government banned Ansar al-Sharia, considering it to be a terrorist organization.

What happened to the Salafist movement from early 2013 is similar to what happened to the followers of Ennahda – previously the Islamic Action – during 1988, 1989 and beyond. This is evidenced in the fact that the authorities prosecute not only those who hold arms, but also those who hold this thought.

I believe that the banning of Ansar al-Sharia was based on a political rather than judicial decision, perhaps as a response to foreign pressure or to the constraints of reality. For example, European countries only classified Hezbollah’s armed wing as a terrorist organization but Hezbollah’s political media wing was not classified as such.

The problem now is that since Ansar al-Sharia was banned, Salafism in general has become intellectually classified as terrorist thought and Salafists have been discriminated against, although it is possible to have dialogue with these young people to spare the country many problems.

The Ministry of Interior – MoI – under the troika provided evidence of the involvement of people belonging to Ansar al-Sharia in acts of violence, such as the burning of the American Embassy, before the banning of the organization.

The attack on the US Embassy in September 2012 was pivotal for Ansar al-Sharia. It resulted in the exit of the then organization leader Seifallah Ben Hassine from the scene following his prosecution. Those close to him also became prosecuted. The decisions were no longer discreet and the members of the organization no longer knew the source of the decisions.

The US Embassy events were not the direct cause of the ban. The decision was made prior to these events. We talked about it before the last conference of Ansar al-Sharia in 2013 and expected our project would be thwarted, young Salafists be hit, and this intellectual perception be demonized in order to be eradicated.

The MoI constantly reveals the involvement of young people with militant Salafist thought in terrorist acts. What is your opinion?

When young Salafists were active within Ansar al-Sharia, there were fewer violent acts than that after banning it. At the time, the work of young Salafists was visibly civil and controlled, and it was possible to hold those violating controls accountable. However, a tightening grip on those who have beards and shirts, as well as a grip on identity and religious freedoms, leads to explosion. While expressing my rejection of violence or taking up arms against the state, I think that the use of force and pursuing the eradication policy of young Salafists will only lead to a backlash. Therefore, I call upon the official authorities to have dialogue with Salafist youth.

How do you explain the involvement of Ansar al-Sharia in acts of violence and acts considered by the government as terrorist?

We were convinced that the 2013 conference of Ansar al-Sharia in Kairouan would be banned since there were clear indicators in light of weapon seizures. Those who were behind weapons and violence had to be identified.

There are pivotal parties responsible for the murders and the introduction of arms, but they are still unknown and we do not know anything about their identity and ties with terrorism. Some of them were killed or “disappeared” and secrets went with them prior to the burning of the American Embassy.

The breakthrough, in my opinion, was made by the mafia of the old regime which has the financial, political and security authority needed to direct young people to use violence to prove the failure of the revolution and oust the former regime.

The leader of Ansar al-Sharia Hassine who fled to Libya is classified as one of the most dangerous terrorists. Do you have information on his fate?

No I do not. I stayed in prison for 14 months and could not follow up on the news so I cannot confirm or refute any narrative.

It is reported that Tunisians constitute the largest in number among foreign fighters in Syria. How do you explain the increase in the number of young Tunisians joining terrorist groups?

There are many reasons, including a sense of outrage at the massacres they see and what is happening in Palestine while the Arab regimes are unable to do anything.

An Islamic awakening started in the 1980s as a response to the imperialist capitalist systems. This response adopted the values of Islam and was seeking to restore the glories of the Caliphate. Therefore, there was a trend to return to the Islamic identity. Furthermore, the restrictions on religious freedom generated a raging character willing to take revenge.

How do you see the future of Salafist movements in Tunisia?

Young Salafists are the sons of Tunisia, so I hope there will be no restrictions on their freedom and that there will be dialogue with them because they have a very useful energy for the country. I also call upon young people to integrate into society, try to change others through argument not by violence, acquire knowledge, study and educate themselves, and avoid isolation.

How did end up becoming a civilization graduate student after your release?

Thank Allah, my case has been dismissed. I have decided to turn over a new leaf by continuing my Arab arts and civilization Master’s degree and eventually getting a doctorate degree.

I like studying Arabic, which is a personal matter of cognitive satisfaction. I am going to study and I do not have any problem communicating with people, whether students or administrators.