Several Tunisian political figures, including Ennahdha leader Rached Ghannouchi and a former head of government, as well as journalists, were sentenced on Wednesday to heavy prison terms for "undermining state security."
Ghannouchi, who has already been convicted in several other cases, was sentenced to 22 years in prison, while former Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi received a 35-year sentence, according to two lawyers.
Journalists Chahrazed Akacha and Chadha Hadj Mbarek were sentenced to 27 years and 5 years in prison, respectively.
The case, known as Instalingo, named after a digital content production company, has been denounced by several defendants as politically motivated. The company, under investigation since 2021, is accused of "plotting against state security."
Around fifty individuals were on trial, including former Interior Ministry spokesperson Mohammed-Ali Aroui and Ennahdha leader Seyed Ferjani. Aroui was sentenced to 16 years in prison, while Ferjani received 13 years.
Rached Ghannouchi refused to appear before the judges due to the "absence of an independent judiciary," according to his lawyers. He was absent during a hearing on Tuesday, as observed by an AFP journalist.
With AFP
