Tunisian Court Hands Down Prison Sentences in High-Profile Terrorism Case
Key Findings
A specialized terrorism court in Tunisia has delivered verdicts ranging from 11 to 30 years in prison in a case known as the "passport and nationality scandal." According to a judicial source, the court confirmed the sentences.
Key Sentences
- Former Justice Minister Noureddine Bhiri, a key figure in the Ennahdha movement, was sentenced to 20 years in prison, along with former security official Fathi Beldi.
- Three fugitives, including Mouadh Ghannouchi, the son of Ennahdha's president, were each sentenced to 30 years in prison with immediate execution.
- Two other defendants were sentenced to 11 years in prison, with all defendants subject to administrative supervision for 5 years.
Notable Decisions
- The court decided to strike the names of former Prime Minister Hamadi Jebali and two other defendants from the case, pending the outcome of a cassation appeal.
- The charges against the defendants include facilitating the entry or exit of individuals from Tunisia to commit terrorist crimes, as well as the fabrication and falsification of national identity cards, passports, licenses, and administrative certificates for terrorist organizations or individuals linked to terrorist crimes.
Charges
The charges against the defendants include:
- Orientation, planning, facilitation, assistance, intermediation, and organization of the entry or exit of individuals from Tunisia, with the intention of committing terrorist crimes.
- Fabrication and falsification of national identity cards, passports, licenses, and administrative certificates for terrorist organizations or individuals linked to terrorist crimes.
- Incitement to these acts, forgery, and use of forged documents, as well as the use of public authority seals.
- Fabrication and use of administrative certificates in the name of public officials.
Context
The case involves allegations of corruption and terrorism-related offenses, with the defendants accused of facilitating the entry and exit of individuals from Tunisia to commit terrorist crimes. The verdicts mark a significant development in the case, which has been ongoing for some time.
