Former Tunisian Prime Minister sentenced to 34 years in prison

Former Tunisian Prime Minister Ali Larayedh has been sentenced to 34 years in prison, accused of facilitating jihadist travel to Syria.

A leading figure of the Islamist Ennahda party, Larayedh served as PM from 2013 to 2014.

But Diaspora Digital Media has learnt that both he and his party deny any links to terrorism.

The verdict comes amid a sweeping crackdown on opposition voices, lawyers, and media figures under President Kaïs Saïed’s rule.

Critics call it a political purge since Saïed took full control in 2021, claiming it’s a move to silence dissent.

Ali Larayedh: A Complex Figure in Tunisian Politics

Ali Larayedh, born on August 15, 1955, in Medenine, Tunisia, is a prominent politician who served as Prime Minister from 2013 to 2014. As a key figure in the Ennahda Movement, a moderate Islamist party, Larayedh played a significant role in shaping Tunisia’s post-revolutionary landscape.

Larayedh’s involvement in politics began in the 1980s, when he became a spokesperson for the Ennahda Movement. His activism led to imprisonment and torture under President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali’s regime. After his release, Larayedh continued to advocate for democratic reforms and human rights.

In 2011, following the Tunisian Revolution, Larayedh joined the government as Minister of the Interior. He later became Prime Minister, serving from March 2013 to January 2014. During his tenure, Larayedh navigated the country through a tumultuous period, marked by political assassinations and social unrest.

Larayedh’s time in office was marked by controversy, particularly surrounding the government’s handling of security and economic issues.

Critics accused him of failing to address the country’s pressing problems, while supporters praised his efforts to promote stability and democracy.

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