A Tunisian court on August 23 sentenced Ennahdha leader Rached Ghannouchi to life imprisonment plus 30 years on terrorism-related charges. The ruling applied to 35 defendants, including Ghannouchi, his deputy Ali Laarayedh, and several former security officials, convicted of forming a terrorist alliance and related offenses under Tunisia’s counterterrorism law [1, 2].
Ali Laarayedh received a life sentence with additional prison terms, with sources differing on the length—ranging from 42 to 96 years. Other defendants were sentenced to prison terms ranging between 10 and 50 years, also with minor discrepancies between sources [1, 2]. The court ordered all defendants to undergo five years of administrative monitoring following completion of their prison terms [1, 2].
The case began in early 2022, triggered by complaints from the public prosecutor and lawyers representing families of assassinated politicians Chokri Belaid and Mohamed Brahmi. Prosecutors accused the defendants of running a secret apparatus responsible for political violence [1, 2]. Ennahdha denies the existence of such a secret group and calls the charges politically motivated [1, 2].
Ghannouchi has been detained since April 2023. His health sharply deteriorated in April 2026, prompting an urgent transfer from prison to a hospital. Ennahdha and opposition groups have called for his immediate release citing his poor health [1].
The court verdict concludes over four years of proceedings against Tunisia’s former ruling party leaders and associates. The defendants now face the ordered prison terms followed by the extended period of state supervision.
