Former Tunisian Prime Minister Ali Laarayedh has been sentenced to 34 years in prison on terrorism charges, as ongoing trials against his political allies raise concerns about authoritarianism under President Kais Saied.
Ex-Prime Minister of Tunisia Sentenced to 34 Years Amid Controversial Trials
Ex-Prime Minister of Tunisia Sentenced to 34 Years Amid Controversial Trials
Ali Laarayedh faces terrorism charges in what critics call a politically motivated crackdown on dissent.
A Tunisian court has handed a 34-year prison sentence to former Prime Minister Ali Laarayedh on multiple terrorism charges, intensifying the spotlight on Tunisia's current political climate. Laarayedh, who led the moderate Islamist party Ennahda and is a prominent opponent of President Kais Saied, faces accusations of establishing a terrorist organization and facilitating the travel of Tunisian youths to join Islamic militant groups abroad.
The ruling remarks yet another significant event in the increasingly controversial legal landscape of Tunisia, which has seen a wave of imprisonments targeting critics of the government. Human rights advocates have condemned the trials as "sham proceedings," reflecting President Saied's tightening grip on power since he dissolved parliament two years ago and began governing by decree.
In a letter to the court's prosecutor, the 69-year-old Laarayedh maintained his innocence, declaring, "I am not a criminal... I am a victim in this case." His arrest three years ago was met with widespread calls for his release, highlighting the precarious state of political freedoms in Tunisia since the 2011 Arab Spring, which many argue has been overshadowed by recent authoritarianism.
Over the past few weeks, more than 40 critics—including influential diplomats, attorneys, and journalists—have been incarcerated, signaling a significant crackdown on dissent within the North African nation. Critics argue that President Saied's current regime aims to suppress any form of opposition, branding dissidents as "traitors" and accusing them of foreign collusion, despite international concerns regarding his governance.
The unfolding developments underscore a critical moment in Tunisian politics, where many citizens lament that the democratic gains achieved following the Arab Spring have been substantially undermined.
