ALBAWABA- A Tunisian court has sentenced Rached Ghannouchi, leader of the Ennahda Movement and former Speaker of Parliament, to 22 years in prison in connection with the controversial "Instalingo" case.
The ruling is part of a broader crackdown that has also resulted in severe sentences for former government officials, journalists, and political activists.
The case dates back to September 2021, when Tunisian security forces raided the offices of Instalingo, a media production company in Sousse, seizing equipment and arresting several employees.
Authorities accused those involved of crimes related to money laundering, destabilizing state security, and inciting unrest.
Ghannouchi, 82, who has been a vocal critic of President Kais Saied’s administration, refused to appear in court. His son Moaz Ghannouchi was sentenced to 25 years, his daughter Soumaya Ghannouchi to 35 years, and his son-in-law, former Foreign Minister Rafik Bouchlaka, to 34 years.
The court also handed down some of the harshest sentences in Tunisia’s recent history. Former Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi, former Minister Lotfi Zitoun, and media figure Waddah Khanfar each received 35-year prison terms.
Journalist Shatha Belhaj Mubarak was sentenced to five years, while journalist Shehrazad Akasha received 27 years.
Other high-profile figures convicted include former Interior Ministry spokesperson Mohamed Ali Aroui, who was sentenced to 13 years, and political leader Sayyid Ferjani, who received 13 years and a hefty fine.
The harshest sentence—54 years—was issued against Instalingo founder Salem Al-Kahili, who is currently facing an international arrest warrant.
The Ennahda Movement and opposition figures have condemned the trial as politically motivated, arguing that President Saied is using the judiciary to eliminate his political opponents following his controversial power grab in July 2021, when he dissolved parliament, took control of the judiciary, and introduced a new constitution through a referendum.
