Tunisian court sentences Ennahdha leader Rached Ghannouchi to life in prison

Tunisian opposition leader Rached Ghannouchi has been sentenced to life in prison by a court in Tunis. Ghannouchi, the leader of the Ennahdha party and former parliamentary speaker, was convicted on terrorism-related charges in the so-called "secret apparatus" case.

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forming a terrorist alliance

The court also handed down life sentences to eleven other defendants, including Ali Laarayedh, an adviser to a former prime minister. Thirteen additional defendants received prison terms between 10 and 48 years. The court found Ghannouchi and the others guilty of forming a "terrorist alliance" and other crimes, including espionage and infiltrating state institutions.

The case originated in early 2022 following complaints from the public prosecutor's office and lawyers representing the families of assassinated leftist politicians Chokri Belaid and Mohamed Brahmi. These lawyers accused Ennahdha's "secret apparatus" of involvement in the 2013 assassinations.

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placing skills and expertise at the disposal of a terrorist alliance and of persons linked to terrorist crimes

Ennahdha has denied the allegations, labeling them as politically motivated. Ghannouchi was arrested in 2023 and previously sentenced to 20 years in prison in the "Ramadan soirée case." His health has reportedly deteriorated, leading to calls for his release.

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politically motivated