Tunisian Opposition Leader Rached Ghannouchi Receives 22-Year Prison Sentence Amid Political Crackdown
The leader of the Ennahda Movement is sentenced in a case linked to political dissent and alleged crimes, with significant penalties for his family and associates.
Rached Ghannouchi, the 82-year-old leader of Tunisia's Ennahda Movement and former speaker of parliament, has been sentenced to 22 years in prison following a ruling by a Tunisian court connected to the "Instalingo" case.
This decision was announced on February 5, 2025, and forms part of a broader crackdown on opposition figures, journalists, and former government officials in Tunisia.
The Instalingo case originated in September 2021 when Tunisian security forces conducted a raid on the offices of Instalingo, a media production company located in Sousse.
Several employees were arrested, and equipment was seized.
The authorities have accused those involved of a range of crimes, including money laundering, destabilizing state security, and inciting unrest.
In addition to Ghannouchi, severe sentences were issued to several of his family members: his son Moaz Ghannouchi received 25 years, his daughter Soumaya Ghannouchi was sentenced to 35 years, and his son-in-law, former Foreign Minister Rafik Bouchlaka, was given 34 years.
Notably, some of the harshest sentences in recent Tunisian history were handed down, including 35 years to former Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi, former Minister Lotfi Zitoun, and media figure Waddah Khanfar.
Journalists also faced significant penalties; Shatha Belhaj Mubarak received five years, while her colleague Shehrazad Akasha was sentenced to 27 years.
Other notable figures convicted include Mohamed Ali Aroui, a former spokesperson for the Interior Ministry, who received a 13-year sentence, and political leader Sayyid Ferjani, also sentenced to 13 years along with a substantial fine.
The harshest sentence in the case was directed at Salem Al-Kahili, the founder of Instalingo, who received a 54-year prison term and is currently facing an international arrest warrant.
The Ennahda Movement and multiple opposition voices have denounced the trial, asserting it to be politically motivated.
They argue that President Kais Saied is utilizing the judiciary as a means to eliminate political opposition since his controversial power consolidation in July 2021, when he dissolved the parliament, seized control of the judiciary, and instituted a new constitution via referendum.
As Tunisia grapples with significant economic and social crises, opposition groups have raised concerns over the implications of the judiciary’s actions on the country’s democratic framework.
This decision was announced on February 5, 2025, and forms part of a broader crackdown on opposition figures, journalists, and former government officials in Tunisia.
The Instalingo case originated in September 2021 when Tunisian security forces conducted a raid on the offices of Instalingo, a media production company located in Sousse.
Several employees were arrested, and equipment was seized.
The authorities have accused those involved of a range of crimes, including money laundering, destabilizing state security, and inciting unrest.
In addition to Ghannouchi, severe sentences were issued to several of his family members: his son Moaz Ghannouchi received 25 years, his daughter Soumaya Ghannouchi was sentenced to 35 years, and his son-in-law, former Foreign Minister Rafik Bouchlaka, was given 34 years.
Notably, some of the harshest sentences in recent Tunisian history were handed down, including 35 years to former Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi, former Minister Lotfi Zitoun, and media figure Waddah Khanfar.
Journalists also faced significant penalties; Shatha Belhaj Mubarak received five years, while her colleague Shehrazad Akasha was sentenced to 27 years.
Other notable figures convicted include Mohamed Ali Aroui, a former spokesperson for the Interior Ministry, who received a 13-year sentence, and political leader Sayyid Ferjani, also sentenced to 13 years along with a substantial fine.
The harshest sentence in the case was directed at Salem Al-Kahili, the founder of Instalingo, who received a 54-year prison term and is currently facing an international arrest warrant.
The Ennahda Movement and multiple opposition voices have denounced the trial, asserting it to be politically motivated.
They argue that President Kais Saied is utilizing the judiciary as a means to eliminate political opposition since his controversial power consolidation in July 2021, when he dissolved the parliament, seized control of the judiciary, and instituted a new constitution via referendum.
As Tunisia grapples with significant economic and social crises, opposition groups have raised concerns over the implications of the judiciary’s actions on the country’s democratic framework.
