Rached Ghannouchi: Tunisian opposition leader jailed for 14 years
Ghannouchi has been in jail since 2023 and refused to attend Tuesday's sentencing remotely.In recent months, he has received three sentences totalling more than 20 years, for charges such as money laundering.According to news agency Tunis Afrique Presse, Ghannouchi's children, Mouadh and Tasnim, were also sentenced on Tuesday, although they had already fled the country. Both received 35-year sentences in absentia.Former Foreign Affairs Minister Rafik Abdessalem Bouchlaka and ex-intelligence chief Kamel Guizani were also sentenced in absentia.President Saied suspended the Tunisian parliament in 2021 and began ruling by decree.Since then, Tunisian and foreign rights groups have reported growing political repression in the country that sparked the 2011 Arab Spring uprisings.Most opposition leaders have been jailed since 2021, along with some journalists, lawyers, activists and social media users.Saied has rejected accusations of repression, saying his actions are aimed at bringing an end to the chaos and corruption under previous governments.
More stories from Tunisia:
Is democracy in Tunisia being destroyed?Pink flamingos 'seized from smugglers' in TunisiaTunisia lawyer arrested during live news broadcast
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