A Tunisian court has sentenced Rached Ghannouchi—one of the country’s most prominent opposition leaders to 14 years in prison, as part of a list of convictions stemming from multiple cases.
Ghannouchi, leader of Tunisia’s Ennahda movement, was among several senior figures charged with conspiring against state security. In addition to those convicted leaders facing nearly identical prison terms, several of his supporters were also sentenced to 12 years in a sweeping case that has drawn criticism from observers.
Reports indicate that his defense team denied the charges and, in a statement, argued that the proceedings failed to 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.
Ghannouchi’s party rose to power after Tunisia became the first country in the region to oust a longtime dictator during the Arab Spring. He later served as speaker of the country’s assembly and is among a growing number of opposition figures who have faced prosecution since President Kais Saied assumed power six years ago.
