Latest news with #Ghannouchi
Roya News
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Roya News
Tunisian opposition leader Rached Ghannouchi sentenced to 14 years in prison
Tunisian opposition leader Rached Ghannouchi was sentenced to 14 years in prison on Tuesday. Ghannouchi, the 84-year-old head of the Ennahda party and a prominent figure in Tunisian politics for decades, was convicted along with 17 other political figures on charges of 'conspiring against state security.' The court ruling adds to an already lengthy list of convictions for Ghannouchi, who has been behind bars since 2023. In recent months, he has received multiple sentences totaling more than 20 years, including convictions related to alleged money laundering. His defense team has rejected the latest charges, insisting the trial was politically motivated and failed to meet fair trial standards. Ghannouchi himself refused to attend the sentencing remotely, continuing to challenge the legitimacy of the proceedings. Founded by Ghannouchi in the 1980s, the moderate Islamist Ennahda party has been a central player in post-revolution Tunisian politics. Ghannouchi served as speaker of parliament until 2021, when President Kais Saied suspended the legislature and began ruling by decree, an act widely viewed as a turning point for the country's democratic experiment. Tuesday's ruling also extended to Ghannouchi's children, Mouadh and Tasnim, who were sentenced in absentia to 35 years each. Both had previously left the country. Other high-profile figures sentenced in absentia include former Foreign Minister Rafik Abdessalem Bouchlaka and former intelligence chief Kamel Guizani. Rights groups have repeatedly condemned Tunisia's increasing crackdown on dissent. Since President Saied's power grab in 2021, dozens of opposition leaders, lawyers, journalists, and activists have been imprisoned or investigated, with critics accusing the president of dismantling the democratic gains of the 2011 revolution.
LeMonde
09-07-2025
- Politics
- LeMonde
Tunisia sentences opposition leader Rached Ghannouchi to 14 years in prison
A Tunisian court on Tuesday, July 8, sentenced one of the country's most prominent opposition leaders to 14 years in prison, adding to a string of convictions that he received in other cases. Rached Ghannouchi, the leader of Tunisia's Ennahda movement, was among those sentenced as part of a sweeping case in which politicians were charged with conspiring against state security. Several other detained members of his party were sentenced to 12 years. Ghannouchi's party rose to power after Tunisia became the first country in the region to oust a longtime dictator as part of the Arab Spring. He later served as speaker of the country's assembly and is among the opposition figures that have faced prosecution since President Kais Saied took power six years ago. His defense team denied the charges and said in a statement that proceedings didn't meet the standards of a fair trial. "All accusations were based on a false and contradictory testimony by a secret, anonymous witness who failed to present any evidence for his baseless and contradictory allegations, and who ultimately retracted most of them," attorneys said in a statement. 'Unjustified judicial harassment' The judge overseeing the case issued arrest warrants for several party members tried in absentia, including Ghannouchi's son and a former foreign minister. The defendants faced charges including participating in an organization linked to terrorist acts, inciting violence, attempting to overthrow the government, and recruiting and training individuals for terrorist purposes both within Tunisia and abroad. Ghannouchi, 86, is facing charges in several other cases and refuses to appear before courts he considers politically manipulated. He has already served multiple prison sentences totaling more than 20 years, notably for money laundering. His lawyers denounce what they call "unjustified judicial harassment" by the authorities and are calling for the release of imprisoned Islamist leaders.
08-07-2025
- Politics
Tunisia sentences prominent opposition leader to lengthy prison term
TUNIS, Tunisia -- A Tunisian court on Tuesday sentenced one of the country's most prominent opposition leaders to 14 years in prison, adding to a string of convictions that he received in other cases. Rached Ghannouchi, the leader of Tunisia's Ennahda movement, was among those sentenced as part of a sweeping case in which politicians were charged with conspiring against state security. Several other detained members of his party were sentenced to 12 years. Ghannouchi's party rose to power after Tunisia became the first country in the region to oust a longtime dictator as part of the Arab Spring. He later served as speaker of the country's assembly and is among the opposition figures that have faced prosecution since President Kais Saied took power six years ago. His defense team denied the charges and said in a statement that proceedings didn't meet the standards of a fair trial. 'All accusations were based on a false and contradictory testimony by a secret, anonymous witness who failed to present any evidence for his baseless and contradictory allegations, and who ultimately retracted most of them,' attorneys said in a statement. The judge overseeing the case issued arrest warrants for several party members tried in absentia, including Ghannouchi's son and a former foreign minister. The defendants faced charges including participating in an organization linked to terrorist acts, inciting violence, attempting to overthrow the government, and recruiting and training individuals for terrorist purposes both within Tunisia and abroad. Ghannouchi, 86, is facing charges in several other cases and refuses to appear before courts he considers politically manipulated. He has already served multiple prison sentences totaling more than 20 years, notably for money laundering. His lawyers denounce what they call 'unjustified judicial harassment' by the authorities and are calling for the release of imprisoned Islamist leaders.
Hamilton Spectator
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
Tunisia sentences prominent opposition leader to lengthy prison term
TUNIS, Tunisia (AP) — A Tunisian court on Tuesday sentenced one of the country's most prominent opposition leaders to 14 years in prison, adding to a string of convictions that he received in other cases. Rached Ghannouchi, the leader of Tunisia's Ennahda movement , was among those sentenced as part of a sweeping case in which politicians were charged with conspiring against state security. Several other detained members of his party were sentenced to 12 years. Ghannouchi's party rose to power after Tunisia became the first country in the region to oust a longtime dictator as part of the Arab Spring. He later served as speaker of the country's assembly and is among the opposition figures that have faced prosecution since President Kais Saied took power six years ago. His defense team denied the charges and said in a statement that proceedings didn't meet the standards of a fair trial. 'All accusations were based on a false and contradictory testimony by a secret, anonymous witness who failed to present any evidence for his baseless and contradictory allegations, and who ultimately retracted most of them,' attorneys said in a statement. The judge overseeing the case issued arrest warrants for several party members tried in absentia, including Ghannouchi's son and a former foreign minister. The defendants faced charges including participating in an organization linked to terrorist acts, inciting violence, attempting to overthrow the government, and recruiting and training individuals for terrorist purposes both within Tunisia and abroad. Ghannouchi, 86, is facing charges in several other cases and refuses to appear before courts he considers politically manipulated. He has already served multiple prison sentences totaling more than 20 years, notably for money laundering. His lawyers denounce what they call 'unjustified judicial harassment' by the authorities and are calling for the release of imprisoned Islamist leaders. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
San Francisco Chronicle
08-07-2025
- Politics
- San Francisco Chronicle
Tunisia sentences prominent opposition leader to lengthy prison term
TUNIS, Tunisia (AP) — A Tunisian court on Tuesday sentenced one of the country's most prominent opposition leaders to 14 years in prison, adding to a string of convictions that he received in other cases. Rached Ghannouchi, the leader of Tunisia's Ennahda movement, was among those sentenced as part of a sweeping case in which politicians were charged with conspiring against state security. Several other detained members of his party were sentenced to 12 years. Ghannouchi's party rose to power after Tunisia became the first country in the region to oust a longtime dictator as part of the Arab Spring. He later served as speaker of the country's assembly and is among the opposition figures that have faced prosecution since President Kais Saied took power six years ago. His defense team denied the charges and said in a statement that proceedings didn't meet the standards of a fair trial. 'All accusations were based on a false and contradictory testimony by a secret, anonymous witness who failed to present any evidence for his baseless and contradictory allegations, and who ultimately retracted most of them,' attorneys said in a statement. The judge overseeing the case issued arrest warrants for several party members tried in absentia, including Ghannouchi's son and a former foreign minister. The defendants faced charges including participating in an organization linked to terrorist acts, inciting violence, attempting to overthrow the government, and recruiting and training individuals for terrorist purposes both within Tunisia and abroad. Ghannouchi, 86, is facing charges in several other cases and refuses to appear before courts he considers politically manipulated. He has already served multiple prison sentences totaling more than 20 years, notably for money laundering. His lawyers denounce what they call 'unjustified judicial harassment' by the authorities and are calling for the release of imprisoned Islamist leaders.
