May 16. (EUROPE PRESS) –
The leader of Tunisia’s main opposition party, the Ennahda Islamist movement, Rachid Ghanuchi, has been sentenced to one year in prison by the terrorism investigation division of the country’s Court of First Instance.
Ghanuchi must also pay 1,000 dinars (almost 3,000 euros) for the accusation, which dates back to statements made in 2022, when the politician spoke of “tyrants”, assuming the police officers were alluded to and one of them was the plaintiff, according to reports the station Mosaique FM.
He is charged with glorifying terrorism, although Ghanuchi, who was arrested on April 17, is still facing other trials for these same crimes, due to different statements made in the last year.
Ennahda has condemned this “unjust political verdict”, and has called for the immediate release of its leader. The opposition National Salvation Front has also rejected the sentence, alleging that “no material criminal act” could be demonstrated.
In addition to Ghanuchi, the Tunisian authorities arrested three other high-ranking officials from Ennahda — Belgacem Hasén, Mohamed Cheniba and Mohamed Gumani — all of whom are also being investigated for alleged “plots against state security.” The authorities have also closed the headquarters of Ennahda and the National Salvation Front opposition coalition and have prohibited meetings of their members.
