A Tunisian court has handed down a 22-year prison sentence in absentia to former President Moncef Marzouki on charges of undermining state security.
Marzouki, a fierce critic of President Kais Saied, accuses him of establishing an authoritarian regime after dismissing parliament and ruling by decree since 2021.
This is the third ruling against Marzouki, who was previously sentenced to eight years and four years in prison in separate cases.
Marzouki, currently in exile in Paris, responded to the ruling, saying, “I say to these judges: your rulings are invalid, and you are invalid…you will be tried soon.” He added, “Democracy will return.”
The sentence has raised concerns among opposition groups, with many leaders already in prison, including Abir Moussi and Rached Ghannouchi.
