Tunisian Court Sentences Opposition Leader Rached Ghannouchi to Life Imprisonment

A Tunisian court has sentenced prominent opposition leader Rached Ghannouchi to life imprisonment in a major ruling that is expected to deepen political tensions in the North African country.

The verdict, delivered by the Tunis Court of First Instance, also affected dozens of other defendants linked to the case known as the "secret apparatus" investigation involving the Ennahdha movement, one of Tunisia's most influential political parties.

Ghannouchi, leader of the Islamist-inspired Ennahdha party and former Speaker of Tunisia's Parliament, was handed a life sentence in addition to 30 years in prison on terrorism-related charges.

The court found him guilty of offences including forming a terrorist alliance and providing expertise and support to individuals connected to terrorist activities.

The ruling extended beyond Ghannouchi. Eleven other defendants received life sentences alongside additional prison terms that, in some cases, stretched for decades. Another group of defendants was sentenced to prison terms ranging from 10 to 48 years.

The court also ordered all convicted individuals to remain under administrative monitoring for five years after serving their sentences.

The case traces its origins to investigations launched in 2022 following complaints submitted by prosecutors and lawyers representing the families of assassinated Tunisian politicians Chokri Belaid and Mohamed Brahmi.

Both politicians, who were outspoken critics of Ennahdha, were assassinated in 2013, events that shook Tunisia's political landscape and triggered widespread public outrage.

Lawyers representing the victims' families alleged that a so-called "secret apparatus" linked to Ennahdha was involved in the assassinations and engaged in activities including espionage and infiltration of state institutions.

Ennahdha has consistently rejected the allegations, maintaining that the accusations are politically motivated and aimed at weakening opposition voices.

The latest sentence adds to a growing list of legal challenges facing Ghannouchi. In April, another Tunisian court sentenced him and three senior Ennahdha officials to 20 years imprisonment in a separate case.

The veteran politician has remained behind bars since his arrest in 2023. Authorities accused him of making statements capable of inciting unrest and public disorder.

Concerns have also emerged regarding his health. Earlier this year, Ennahdha disclosed that Ghannouchi had been transferred urgently from prison to hospital following a deterioration in his condition. Opposition groups subsequently called for his release on humanitarian grounds.

The ruling comes amid continuing political tensions in Tunisia, where opposition groups have repeatedly accused President Kais Saied's administration of targeting political rivals through the judiciary.

Since 2021, Tunisia has experienced significant political changes following Saied's consolidation of executive authority, a move supporters describe as necessary reforms but critics view as a setback for democratic governance.

Several opposition figures, activists, lawyers and journalists have faced arrests, investigations, or prosecutions during this period, leading to growing concerns among international observers and human rights organisations.

Tunisian authorities have consistently denied allegations of political persecution, insisting that legal proceedings are conducted independently and according to the law.

The life sentence handed to Rached Ghannouchi marks one of the most consequential judicial decisions in Tunisia's recent political history.

While supporters of the ruling view it as a victory for accountability, critics argue it could further intensify concerns about political freedoms and opposition rights in the country.

As Tunisia continues to grapple with political uncertainty, the verdict is likely to remain at the centre of both domestic and international debate in the months ahead.