A Tunisian court on Friday sentenced former President Moncef Marzouki to 22 years in prison in absentia on charges of undermining state security, in a move critics say signals a deepening crackdown on dissent under President Kais Saied.
Marzouki, who led Tunisia from 2011 to 2014 and now lives in exile in Paris, has been an outspoken critic of Saied’s consolidation of power. He condemned the ruling, calling the judges “invalid” and vowing that “democracy will return.”
The sentence marks the third conviction against Marzouki, following earlier rulings of eight and four years in separate cases.
Saied, who suspended parliament and began ruling by decree in 2021, has defended his actions as necessary to restore order. Critics, however, accuse him of dismantling democratic institutions and jailing political opponents.
On the same day, a separate court sentenced senior Ennahda party official Sahbi Atig to 15 years on money laundering charges, according to his lawyer.
In recent months, Tunisia has seen a wave of heavy sentences against political figures, lawyers, and businessmen. In April, courts handed down prison terms of up to 66 years on conspiracy charges. Key opposition leaders remain in detention, including Abir Moussi of the Free Constitutional Party and Rached Ghannouchi, head of Ennahda.