Tunisian Islamist Party Leader Ghannouchi Sentenced to 15 Months for Terrorism Support, Incitement Amid Worsening Authoritarian Rule

In addition to the prison term, Ghannouchi, a vocal critic of President Saied's consolidation of power, was fined, placed under judicial supervision for three years, and arrested in April amid social tensions and economic challenges. Critics of Saied argue that the charges represent politically-motivated attempts to silence opposition.

• Rached Ghannouchi, leader of Tunisia’s moderate Islamist party and vocal opponent of President Kais Saied, has been sentenced to 15 months in prison for supporting terrorism and inciting hatred. Ghannouchi had previously been sentenced to a year in prison in what his party claims was a politically motivated sham trial.
• In addition to the prison term, the Court of Appeal in Tunis has ordered Ghannouchi to pay a fine of 1,000 Tunisian dinars ($300) and placed him under judicial supervision for three years. Ghannouchi boycotted the sentencing proceedings, a stance consistent with his party's rejection of courts and legal actions against its members.
• This verdict came amidst President Saied's conspicuous crackdown on critics and political rivals, involving widespread detentions as part of an anti-corruption campaign and purportedly for plotting against state security.
• Ghannouchi, who previously held the position of the speaker of the Ennahdha-led parliament, accuses President Saied of staging a coup when Saied took all powers into his hands and suspended the parliament in July 2021.
• Ghannouchi's arrest in April occurred against the backdrop of escalating social tensions and economic issues in Tunisia, a country that was once hailed as a beacon of democracy in the Arab world but has recently been showing signs of growing authoritarianism.

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