World Anti-Doping Agency deeply concerned about arrest of Tunisia’s anti-doping body chief

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has expressed deep concern following the arrest of the Director General of the National Anti-Doping Organization of Tunisia (ANAD) and his dismissal for simply respecting the decisions of the international anti-doping governing body.

On 30 April, WADA decided to impose sanctions against Tunisia for failing to abide by the agency’s Code to ensure a clean sport. As a result of non-compliance, as is always the case, a series of sanctions were enforced, including Tunisia’s flag could not be flown at regional, continental or world championships such as the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games.

At a Tunisian Open Masters championship, organized lately by the national swimming federation at the Rades Olympic pool, the Tunisian flag was covered in accordance with the sanctions imposed by the World Anti-Doping Agency.

But President Kais Saied was extremely upset by the implementation of the sanctions against his country. He stormed a local swimming event, near Tunis, raising the flag and singing the national anthem, a move seen as an act of defiance.
In its press release, the World Anti-Doping Agency voiced grave concern over the arrest of the ANAD Director General and called for his immediate and unconditional release from custody, as well as the dropping of any charges made against him.

The withdrawal from WADA’s non-compliance list is a long process respecting the reinstatement conditions and guidelines endorsed by Executive Committee of the World anti-doping agency.