Rached Ghannouchi’s Arrest Marks Escalation in Tunisia’s Political Crackdown

Watan-On the night between April 17 and 18, 2023, Tunisian security forces arrested former Parliament Speaker and Ennahda party leader Rached Ghannouchi from his home in Tunis—a significant development in the ongoing conflict between President Kais Saied and the opposition.

What was initially perceived as a temporary detention soon escalated into prolonged imprisonment. Ghannouchi, a prominent political figure and intellectual, now faces over 15 separate charges, including a controversial 22-year sentence in the “Instalingo” case. Other accusations stem from public statements made during funerals and Ramadan events, which authorities claim amount to incitement.

Ghannouchi has refused to attend further trials, choosing to remain imprisoned in protest of what he and his legal team describe as politically motivated, unjust procedures. His arrest, critics argue, symbolizes a larger effort by President Saied to silence dissent, control civil society, and erode gains made since the 2011 Tunisian revolution.

Calls Grow for Ghannouchi’s Release Amid Escalating Repression in Tunisia

The International Committee for the Defense of Rached Ghannouchi called the charges fabricated and the trials politically motivated. They, along with numerous rights groups, demand his unconditional release, calling him a symbol of resilience and peaceful political dialogue in the Arab world.

Human rights advocates also highlighted deteriorating conditions in Tunisian courts and prisons, arguing that Ghannouchi’s age and stature demand urgent attention. Legal experts warn the harsh sentences—some exceeding 30 years—are legally weak and part of a campaign to eliminate Tunisia’s largest opposition force.

As new court dates approach, including a May 8 hearing in a case referred to as the “second conspiracy,” calls are growing for international pressure on Tunisian authorities to restore justice and democratic freedoms.