The leader of Tunisia's opposition party, Ennahda, Rached Ghannouchi, has been sentenced to three years in prison by the Tunis Court of First Instance Financial Corruption Criminal Chamber.

The court also issued an "immediate enforcement" order. This verdict is related to the accusation of Ghannouchi receiving foreign donations for the party. Former Foreign Minister Rafik Abdessalem, Ghannouchi's son-in-law, received the same sentence in connection with the case.

Additionally, the court imposed a substantial fine of 3,642,361 Tunisian dinars (or its equivalent in US dollars) on Ennahda for its involvement in accepting foreign donations. The sentencing and fines are part of a broader crackdown on political opponents of President Kais Saied, with Ghannouchi being one of several figures arrested since February last year. This development has raised international concerns about the state of political freedoms in Tunisia.

Ghannouchi, who served as the parliament speaker before Ennahda was dissolved by President Saied in July 2021, faces legal consequences amid a complex political landscape in the country. (ILKHA)