Top politicians are sentenced to long jail sentences by a Tunisian court

Defense attorneys reported that a Tunisian court sentenced several prominent politicians, former officials, and journalists to lengthy jail sentences on Wednesday. Critics claim this is the latest step in an effort to crush resistance to President Kais Saied.

The veteran leader of the Islamist-leaning Ennahda party, Rached Ghannouchi, was sentenced to 22 years in prison on allegations of plotting against the state, while former Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi received 35 years.

Ghannouchi, 83, has been incarcerated since 2023 after being given two sentences totaling five years in different incidents.

A few months after Saied fired him and closed the elected parliament in what the opposition called a coup, Mechichi has been residing overseas since 2021.

One of the attorneys, Mokthar Jmai, stated that they will challenge the penalties, calling them “political and unjust decisions that are intended to destroy political opponents.”

In a statement, Ennahda said the trial was part of a larger assault on freedoms and rights and that it was a flagrant breach of the judiciary’s independence.

In all, 41 individuals were accused in this case. Jmai stated that the court sentenced journalist Chahrazad Akacha, who has escaped overseas, to 27 years in prison and another journalist, Chadha Haj Mbarak, who was already incarcerated, to five years.

According to Chadha’s brother, Bassam Haj Mbarak, “My sister is innocent, and this sentence is harsh for a journalist who was just doing her job.”

In addition, the court condemned former interior ministry spokesperson Mohamed Ali Aroui and former intelligence chief Lazhar Longo to 15 years in jail apiece.

In Tunisia, the majority of political party leaders have been imprisoned in what they claim are false accusations.

Saied is charged with attempting to install one-man rule, filling jails with journalists and politicians, and destroying the democracy established during a 2011 revolution that overthrew long-ruling tyrant Zine El-Abidine Ben Ali.

Saied claims his actions were necessary to prevent years of anarchy in Tunisia and denies carrying out a coup.

He has referred to his detractors as terrorists, traitors, and criminals and threatened to hold any court who granted them freedom accountable for aiding and abetting them.