Tunisia court sentences Ghannouchi to 20 years in prison

A Tunisian court yesterday sentenced Ennahda movement leader Rached Ghannouchi to 20 years in prison on charges of conspiring against state security, in a case linked to a “Ramadan gathering”.

The same sentence was handed to Ennahda figures Youssef Nouri and Ahmed Mechri. The court also issued 20-year prison terms, effective immediately, against three other leaders abroad, including Ghannouchi’s son-in-law and former foreign minister, Rafik Abdessalem, according to Mosaique FM.

In addition, three other defendants, who had been released pending trial, were each sentenced to three years in prison.

The case relates to a meeting organised by the opposition during Ramadan in 2023, in which Ghannouchi warned of the dangers of “political exclusion” by the authorities.

Ghannouchi, 84, has been in custody since April, 2023. He faces multiple cases, including charges related to terrorism, financial corruption and conspiracy against state security. He has boycotted most of his court hearings.

The total prison sentences issued against him to date exceed 70 years.

Read Tunisia appeals court raises prison sentence of Ennahda leader Ghannouchi to 20 years