Life sentence in terrorism case removes major political rival
A Tunisian court sentenced Rached Ghannouchi, leader of Ennahdha, the country's largest opposition group, to life in prison plus 30 years on Tuesday. The Tunis Court of First Instance convicted Ghannouchi and dozens of other defendants of forming a terrorist alliance in what authorities call the "secret apparatus" case. The sentence adds to prison terms totaling dozens of years from earlier cases brought against him under President Kais Saied.
The court found Ghannouchi and the other defendants guilty of "forming a terrorist alliance" and other crimes, including "placing skills and expertise at the disposal of a terrorist alliance and of persons linked to terrorist crimes", according to Tunis Afrique Presse. Eleven other defendants, including Ali Laarayedh, received life sentences plus additional prison terms of up to 96 years. Thirteen others drew sentences between 10 and 48 years. The court ordered all defendants placed under administrative monitoring for five years.
Origins of the case dating to 2013 assassinations
Authorities opened the case in early 2022 following a complaint by the public prosecutor's office and lawyers representing families of Chokri Belaid and Mohamed Brahmi, leftist politicians assassinated in 2013. Lawyers for the families accused what they called Ennahda's secret apparatus of involvement in the assassinations and of conducting espionage and infiltrating state institutions. Ennahdha denied the allegations, describing them as politically motivated. The public prosecutor's office initially handled the case before transferring it to the judicial counterterrorism unit in 2023.
Ghannouchi's health and prior convictions
In April, Ennahdha reported that Ghannouchi had been urgently transferred from prison to hospital after a sharp deterioration in his health. The opposition National Salvation Front called for his immediate release on health grounds. Tunisian security forces arrested Ghannouchi at his home during a Ramadan gathering in 2023 on charges of making statements that incite chaos and disobedience. In April, a court sentenced him and three other Ennahdha leaders to 20 years in prison in the so-called Ramadan soirée case.
Government denies political persecution claims
Tunisian authorities have denied accusations that Ghannouchi and other detainees are being held on political grounds.
