Latest news with #Ghannouchi
Express Tribune
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Tunisia puts more opposition figures on mass trial
A new trial of nearly two dozen Tunisian opposition figures accused of plotting against the state opened on Tuesday, weeks after a separate mass trial jailed nearly 40 defendants on similar charges. The latest trial — known as the "conspiracy against state security II" — involved 22 defendants, including 83-year-old Islamist-inspired Ennahdha party leader Rached Ghannouchi, currently jailed in another case. Youssef Chahed, a former prime minister, and Nadia Akacha, once the head of the presidential office, were also among the defendants, according to court documents. The defendants were accused of terror-related charges, incitement to murder, and "plotting against state internal security", among other charges, according to a court document. The majority of the defendants are being tried in absentia, having fled the country, lawyer Samir Dilou said. Ghannouchi was already sentenced in early February to 22 years in prison — also for plotting against state security in a different case. He had been the speaker of parliament when President Kais Saied staged a sweeping power grab in 2021. In this case, Ghannouchi as well as other Ennahdha officials stand accused of setting up a "secret security apparatus" in service of the party, which had dominated Tunisia's post-revolution politics. Tunisia had emerged as the Arab world's only democracy following the ouster of longtime ruler Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in 2011, after it kicked off the Arab Spring uprisings. Tuesday's hearing was conducted remotely with only four defendants attending virtually, according to lawyers. Last month's similar trial had drawn criticism from the United Nations, which said it was "marred by violations of fair trial and due process rights". But Saied dismissed the "comments and statements by foreign parties" as "blatant interference in Tunisia's internal affairs". In a statement on Monday, Tunisia's main opposition coalition, the National Salvation Front (FSN), called for "an end to sham and unfair trials", demanding "the release of all political prisoners".
Arab News
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Huge dust storm sweeps into Iran, affecting millions
Huge dust storm sweeps into Iran, affecting millions /node/2599785/middle-east Tunisia puts more opposition figures on mass trial /node/2599781/middle-east Tunisia puts more opposition figures on mass trial Updated 5 sec ago May 06, 2025 19:10 Tunisia puts more opposition figures on mass trial The 'conspiracy against state security II' involved 22 defendants, including 83-year-old Ennahdha party leader Rached Ghannouch The majority of the defendants are being tried in absentia, having fled the country Updated 5 sec ago AFP May 06, 2025 19:10 TUNIS: A new trial of nearly two dozen Tunisian opposition figures accused of plotting against the state opened on Tuesday, weeks after a separate mass trial jailed nearly 40 defendants on similar charges. The latest trial — known as the 'conspiracy against state security II' — involved 22 defendants, including 83-year-old Islamist-inspired Ennahdha party leader Rached Ghannouchi, currently jailed in another case. Youssef Chahed, a former prime minister, and Nadia Akacha, once the head of the presidential office, were also among the defendants, according to court documents. The defendants were accused of terror-related charges, incitement to murder, and 'plotting against state internal security,' among other charges, according to a court document. The majority of the defendants are being tried in absentia, having fled the country, lawyer Samir Dilou said. Ghannouchi was already sentenced in early February to 22 years in prison — also for plotting against state security in a different case. He had been the speaker of parliament when President Kais Saied staged a sweeping power grab in 2021. In this case, Ghannouchi as well as other Ennahdha officials stand accused of setting up a 'secret security apparatus' in service of the party, which had dominated Tunisia's post-revolution politics. Tunisia had emerged as the Arab world's only democracy following the ouster of longtime ruler Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in 2011, after it kicked off the Arab Spring uprisings. Tuesday's hearing was conducted remotely with only four defendants attending virtually, according to lawyers. Last month's similar trial had drawn criticism from the United Nations, which said it was 'marred by violations of fair trial and due process rights.' But Saied dismissed the 'comments and statements by foreign parties' as 'blatant interference in Tunisia's internal affairs.' In a statement on Monday, Tunisia's main opposition coalition, the National Salvation Front (FSN), called for 'an end to sham and unfair trials,' demanding 'the release of all political prisoners.' Oman announces US-Houthi ceasefire deal /node/2599767/middle-east Oman announces US-Houthi ceasefire deal A US F/A-18 Super Hornet attack fighter jet takes off from the US Navy's Nimitz-class USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier. Updated 52 min 23 sec ago May 06, 2025 16:37 Oman announces US-Houthi ceasefire deal 'They said please don't bomb us any more and we're not going to attack your ships,' Trump said There was no immediate response from the Houthis Updated 52 min 23 sec ago AFP May 06, 2025 16:37 WASHINGTON: The United States and Yemen's Houthis have reached a ceasefire agreement, mediator Oman announced Tuesday, saying the deal would ensure 'freedom of navigation' in the Red Sea where the militia has attacked shipping. 'Following recent discussions and contacts... with the aim of de-escalation, efforts have resulted in a ceasefire agreement between the two sides,' said Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi in a statement posted online, adding that 'neither side will target the other... ensuring freedom of navigation and the smooth flow of international commercial shipping' in the Red Sea. Earlier on Tuesday, President Donald Trump said that the US will stop bombing the Houthis in Yemen after the Iran-aligned group agreed to stop interrupting important shipping lanes in the Middle East. In an Oval Office meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Trump announced the Houthis have said that they no longer want to fight but did not elaborate on the message. 'They said please don't bomb us any more and we're not going to attack your ships,' Trump said. The Houthis have been firing at Israel and at shipping in the Red Sea since Israel began its military offensive against Hamas in Gaza after the Palestinian militant group's deadly attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. The US president said Washington will take the Houthis' word that they would not be blowing up ships any longer. Tensions have been high since the Gaza war began, but have risen further since a Houthi missile landed near Israel's Ben Gurion Airport on Sunday, prompting Israeli airstrikes on Yemen's Hodeidah port on Monday. The Israeli military carried out an airstrike on Yemen's main airport in Sanaa on Tuesday, its second attack in two days on the Houthis after a surge in tensions between the group and Israel. Topics: War on Gaza US President Donald Trump Houthis The bodies of a Belgian mother and her son were recovered in southern Jordan after flash flooding /node/2599762/middle-east The bodies of a Belgian mother and her son were recovered in southern Jordan after flash flooding Updated 06 May 2025 May 06, 2025 19:01 The bodies of a Belgian mother and her son were recovered in southern Jordan after flash flooding The mother and children had been part of a group of 18 tourists Fourteen tourists, all Czechs, were rescued on Sunday Updated 06 May 2025 AP May 06, 2025 19:01 AMMAN: Search and rescue teams recovered the bodies of a Belgian mother and her son on Monday in Jordan, police said a day after the woman and her three children were reported missing in flash flooding. The other two children were found alive. Sunday's flooding in southern Jordan also led to the evacuation of hundreds of tourists from the Petra archaeological site, the country's main tourist attraction. The mother and children had been part of a group of 18 tourists who had been on an adventure trip in Wadi Al-Nakhil when they were caught up in the flash flood, Ma'an district local governor Hassan Al-Jabour told state media broadcaster Al-Mamlaka TV. Fourteen tourists, all Czechs, were rescued on Sunday. Rescue crews located two of the children alive late Sunday, Al-Jabour said. The search and rescue operation was suspended at about 2 a.m. because of the complicated weather conditions and terrain. The bodies of the woman and her son were found Monday morning after the search resumed, he said. Further details about the family and the ages of the children weren't immediately available. Jordan often experiences flash flooding as heavy seasonal rains send torrents of water through dry desert valleys. At least three people died in 2021 when floodwaters swept away their car, while more than 30 people in the Dead Sea region and other parts of Jordan were killed in flash flooding in 2018. Topics: Jordan belgian tourists flash floods Petra UAE president stresses regional peace during meeting with Turkish foreign minister /node/2599756/middle-east UAE president stresses regional peace during meeting with Turkish foreign minister Updated 06 May 2025 May 06, 2025 17:28 UAE president stresses regional peace during meeting with Turkish foreign minister Leaders examined the strategic relationship between Ankara and Abu Dhabi Updated 06 May 2025 Arab News May 06, 2025 17:28 LONDON: UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan met with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan at the Qasr Al-Shati palace in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday. They examined the strategic relationship between Ankara and Abu Dhabi, seeking ways to enhance it according to their mutual interests, the Emirates News Agency reported. Sheikh Mohamed and Fidan discussed regional and international issues, highlighting developments in the Middle East. They stressed the necessity of fostering regional peace and stability in a way that benefits all nations. The meeting was attended by several senior officials, including Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, the deputy chairman of the Presidential Court for Special Affairs; Sheikh Mohamed bin Hamad bin Tahnoun Al-Nahyan, the adviser to the UAE president; Ali bin Hammad Al-Shamsi, the secretary-general of the Supreme Council for National Security; and Khalifa Shaheen Al-Marar, the minister of state.
Al Jazeera
18-04-2025
- Politics
- Al Jazeera
Allies say Ghannouchi ‘unjustly' held, as he marks 2 years in Tunisian jail
Marking the second anniversary of the arrest of Tunisia's prominent opposition leader Rached Ghannouchi, an international committee formed last year to raise awareness about his imprisonment says he is being held 'unjustly' and on 'trumped-up charges'. The International Committee for Solidarity with Rached Ghannouchi called for the immediate release of the imprisoned Ennahdha party leader and former speaker of Tunisia's parliament. In a statement on Thursday, it said that more than 15 cases have been brought against Ghannouchi, and 'several unjust convictions and sentences' have been issued. The most recent of these was a 22-year prison sentence issued in February on charges that included plotting against state security – a case 'to which he has no connection', the committee said. Earlier this year, Ghannouchi was also sentenced to three years for accusations that his party received foreign contributions. The 83-year-old, who has been the main rival of Tunisian President Kais Saied, was arrested in April 2023 and sentenced to one year in prison on charges of incitement. He has been a vocal critic of Saied, and became the highest-profile figure to be arrested in the continuing consolidation of power by the president who was elected in 2019 and has overseen a wave of repression and legal reforms that have expanded his rule. 'These unjust trials and sentences take place within the context of a widespread repressive campaign led by Kais Saied's regime, which is targeting opposition voices from all backgrounds, repressing organised action in all its forms, controlling the media and civil society, and silencing critical voices,' the committee said in its statement. It said Saied's government has to 'exploit the judiciary as a tool for settling political scores'. The committee's statement comes just days after United States-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) called on the Tunisian government to halt its crackdown on opposition and free all detainees. The rights group said arbitrary detention was being used to eliminate dissent in Tunisia amid a trial of prominent opposition figures – including Ghannouchi – on conspiracy charges. In a report released Wednesday, HRW reinforced opposition leaders' concern over what they call the authoritarian rule of Saied since he dissolved parliament in 2021 and began ruling by decree. The opposition described Saied's move as a coup. He has denied such accusations, professing he would not become a dictator but rather is trying to rescue the North African country from political chaos and rampant corruption. The report said Tunis had turned arbitrary detention into a cornerstone of repressive policy. 'Saied's government has returned the country to an era of political prisoners, robbing Tunisians of hard-won civil liberties,' said Bassam Khawaja, deputy Middle East and North Africa director at HRW. Since 2023, authorities have arrested dozens of prominent political opposition figures as well as journalists, activists and lawyers in a crackdown critics say has undermined the democracy gained in the 2011 Arab Spring popular uprising.
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Tunisia jails opposition politicians and journalist as crackdown on political dissent resumes
A judge in Tunisia handed down lengthy sentences to prominent politicians and at least one leading journalist in a move criticized by a media union and leading opposition parties as the latest move targeting critics of President Kais Saied. Among those sentenced Wednesday include 83-year-old Rached Ghannouchi, the country's most prominent opposition leader, who has been behind bars for nearly two years. Ghannouchi, the co-founder of the Islamist movement Ennahda and Tunisia's former Assembly Speaker, was sentenced to an additional 22 years in prison for undermining state security. He boycotted the proceedings against him. Ennahda condemned the trial as politically motivated and said the prosecutions were 'aimed at revenge, violating basic human rights and freedoms, undermining the rule of law and blatantly politicizing the judiciary.' The National Salvation Front, a coalition of opposition parties that includes Ennahda, said in a statement that the sentences issued against bloggers, politicians and former government officials totaled more than 760 years and marked 'one of the darkest periods' for the country's judicial branch, which has seen judges dismissed and power wrested from it by Saied's executive branch. 'This particular chamber is becoming a specialized tool for issuing harsh sentences against politicians,' said one of its leaders, Ahmed Nejib Chebbi. The charges stem from a 2019 case against a media company that provided services for Ennahda during that year's presidential elections. Those involved are accused of defamation, spreading falsehoods, money laundering, undermining state security and illegally accepting funds from abroad. Human rights groups have criticized such cases as a way to target Saied's opponents. Saied won a second term last October in a landslide election while his leading opponents, including Ghannouchi, languished in prison. 'These rulings bring Tunisia back to a period the people sought to leave behind through their revolution,' an Ennahda statement on Thursday said, referring to the 2011 ouster of Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, the first Arab dictator toppled as part of the Arab Spring uprising that swept the region that year. In the years that followed, the North African nation was seen as a success story for its transition to democracy, rewriting its constitution and winning a Nobel Peace Prize for political compromise. But signs of authoritarianism have re-emerged since Saied took power in 2019. Throughout his tenure, Saied has suspended parliament, rewritten the constitution to consolidate his power and arrested politicians, activists and journalists who criticized him. The court on Wednesday also sentenced in absentia a group of Ennahda politicians who've fled the country and now live in exile, including former Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi, who was sentenced to 35 years on state security charges similar to Ghannouchi's. Journalist Chadha Haj Mubarak was sentenced to five years in prison as part of the same case, the National Syndicate of Tunisian Journalists said. The union called for her immediate release and in a statement denounced the court's lack of respect for press freedoms. In a statement Mubarak's attorney, Souhail Medimegh, said his client was being charged purely for her journalism. __ Metz reported from Rabat, Morocco.
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Tunisia jails opposition politicians and journalist as crackdown on political dissent resumes
A judge in Tunisia handed down lengthy sentences to prominent politicians and at least one leading journalist in a move criticized by a media union and leading opposition parties as the latest move targeting critics of President Kais Saied. Among those sentenced Wednesday include 83-year-old Rached Ghannouchi, the country's most prominent opposition leader, who has been behind bars for nearly two years. Ghannouchi, the co-founder of the Islamist movement Ennahda and Tunisia's former Assembly Speaker, was sentenced to an additional 22 years in prison for undermining state security. He boycotted the proceedings against him. See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. Ennahda condemned the trial as politically motivated and said the prosecutions were 'aimed at revenge, violating basic human rights and freedoms, undermining the rule of law and blatantly politicizing the judiciary.' The National Salvation Front, a coalition of opposition parties that includes Ennahda, said in a statement that the sentences issued against bloggers, politicians and former government officials totaled more than 760 years and marked 'one of the darkest periods' for the country's judicial branch, which has seen judges dismissed and power wrested from it by Saied's executive branch. 'This particular chamber is becoming a specialized tool for issuing harsh sentences against politicians,' said one of its leaders, Ahmed Nejib Chebbi. The charges stem from a 2019 case against a media company that provided services for Ennahda during that year's presidential elections. Those involved are accused of defamation, spreading falsehoods, money laundering, undermining state security and illegally accepting funds from abroad. Human rights groups have criticized such cases as a way to target Saied's opponents. Saied won a second term last October in a landslide election while his leading opponents, including Ghannouchi, languished in prison. 'These rulings bring Tunisia back to a period the people sought to leave behind through their revolution,' an Ennahda statement on Thursday said, referring to the 2011 ouster of Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, the first Arab dictator toppled as part of the Arab Spring uprising that swept the region that year. In the years that followed, the North African nation was seen as a success story for its transition to democracy, rewriting its constitution and winning a Nobel Peace Prize for political compromise. But signs of authoritarianism have re-emerged since Saied took power in 2019. Throughout his tenure, Saied has suspended parliament, rewritten the constitution to consolidate his power and arrested politicians, activists and journalists who criticized him. The court on Wednesday also sentenced in absentia a group of Ennahda politicians who've fled the country and now live in exile, including former Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi, who was sentenced to 35 years on state security charges similar to Ghannouchi's. Journalist Chadha Haj Mubarak was sentenced to five years in prison as part of the same case, the National Syndicate of Tunisian Journalists said. The union called for her immediate release and in a statement denounced the court's lack of respect for press freedoms. In a statement Mubarak's attorney, Souhail Medimegh, said his client was being charged purely for her journalism. __ Metz reported from Rabat, Morocco.
