Former Ali Larayedh, who served as Prime Minister of Tunisia, was sentenced on Friday to 24 years in prison on charges of facilitating Tunisian jihadists’ travel to Syria over the past decade, according to state media.
His party, the Islamist opposition Ennahda, has described the case as politically motivated, claiming it is part of a broader crackdown on dissent following President Kais Saied’s seizure of sweeping powers in 2021, when he dissolved parliament and began ruling by decree.
Larayedh, detained since 2022, told the court during Thursday’s hearing: “I am innocent. I am being subjected to injustice, abuse and ingratitude.” He has the right to appeal both his conviction and sentence.
Following the 2011 Tunisian revolution, hundreds of Tunisians reportedly travelled to Syria, Iraq, and Libya to join Islamic State-affiliated groups. Ennahda faced criticism from secular rivals for allegedly facilitating such travel during its time in power, accusations it has consistently denied.
The case involved seven other defendants, including former officials from the Interior Ministry. According to Tunisia’s TAP state news agency, sentences for the co-defendants ranged from three years to 24 years.
