Tunisia: Rached Ghannouchi sentenced to 22 years in prison for « undermining state security »
On Wednesday, several Tunisian political figures, including Rached Ghannouchi, the imprisoned Islamist leader and former Speaker of Parliament, as well as journalists, were handed heavy prison sentences for « undermining state security, » according to lawyers who spoke to AFP.
Ghannouchi, who had already been convicted in other cases, was sentenced to 22 years in prison. Former Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi received a 35-year prison sentence, according to the 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 company specializing in digital content production, has been denounced as politically motivated by several of the accused.
The company has been under investigation since 2021, suspected of plotting « against state security. »
In total, around fifty people were tried, including former Interior Ministry spokesperson Mohammed-Ali Aroui and Ennahdha movement leader Seyed Ferjani. Aroui was sentenced to 16 years in prison, while Ferjani received a 13-year sentence.
Rached Ghannouchi refused to appear before the court, denouncing « the absence of an independent judiciary, » according to his lawyers. He was absent from Tuesday’s hearing, as observed by an AFP journalist.
