Tunisia Hands Down 22-Year Sentence to Ex-President Marzouki in Absentia
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Tunisia Hands Down 22-Year Sentence to Ex-President Marzouki in Absentia
A Tunisian court on Friday imposed a 22-year prison term in absentia on former President Moncef Marzouki, a vocal opponent of President Kais Saied, convicted of jeopardizing national security. The verdict has intensified concerns among opposition figures about a growing suppression of dissent.
Marzouki, who led the country from 2011 to 2014, has accused Saied of creating an autocratic government by dissolving parliament and governing through decrees since consolidating power in 2011. Saied justifies his measures as essential for stabilizing Tunisia.
This marks the third legal action against Marzouki, following an eight-year sentence last year and a four-year term in prior cases. From his exile in Paris, Marzouki responded, “I tell these judges: your decisions lack legitimacy, and you will face trial soon. Democracy will prevail.”
On the same day, another court sentenced Sahbi Atig, a high-ranking Ennahda opposition official, to 15 years for money laundering, according to his attorney—a lighter penalty compared to the up-to-66-year sentences given to opposition leaders, businessmen, and lawyers in April for conspiracy charges.
Tunisia’s political landscape is increasingly dominated by jailed opposition figures, including Free Constitutional Party leader Abir Moussi and Ennahda chief Rached Ghannouchi, both key adversaries of Saied.
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