Tunisian court hands lengthy prison sentences to ex-officials
Summary
A Tunisian court has sentenced 21 political figures, including opposition leader Rached Ghannouchi, to prison terms. These rulings are seen as part of President Kais Saied’s actions against critics and opposition since he began ruling by decree in 2021.Key Facts
- Rached Ghannouchi, an opposition leader and former Parliament Speaker, received a jail sentence of up to 14 years.
- Other politicians, like former Prime Minister Youssef Chahed and ex-Foreign Minister Rafik Abdessalem Bouchlaka, were sentenced to 35 years.
- The charges include forming a "terrorist" group and conspiring against state security.
- Sentences were given in absentia for several former officials, including Nadia Akacha, the ex-chief of staff.
- Many opposition leaders have been jailed since President Saied suspended parliament in 2021.
- Critics claim Saied uses the judiciary to target his political opponents, but he denies this.
- The Ennahdha party, to which Ghannouchi belongs, has denied the allegations, calling the rulings politically motivated.
- The Tunisian government shut down Ennahdha's headquarters last year.
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