A pre-trial detention decision was made against Rashid al-Gannouchi, the former Speaker of the Tunisian Parliament and leader of the al-Nahda Movement, who has been behind bars for more than two months, as part of the "secret organization" investigation.
Rashid al-Gannouchi, the former Speaker of the Tunisian Parliament and leader of al-Nahda Movement, has been detained as part of the "secret organization" investigation.
The Ariana Court of First Instance in the capital Tunis has made a new decision within the scope of the "secret organization" investigation against Ghannouchi, who has been detained for more than two months.
The court ruled that Rashid al-Gannuşi be put on trial within the scope of the investigation initiated regarding the time he was a partner in power regarding al-Nahda Movement.
In May last year, through the "secret organization" allegedly created by al-Nahda Movement, a travel ban was imposed on Gannouchi and 33 accompanying persons on charges such as "disclosure of state secrets to non-state officials, accepting gifts personally or through others as a state official, and demanding rights and privileges on behalf of others".
GHANNOUCHI IN PRISON SINCE 17 APRIL
Despite the national and international reactions, Ghannouchi was arrested after 48 hours of police interrogation, after he was detained in a raid on his home on April 17, on charges of "directing the people to civil war" because of his remarks at a meeting.
Ghannouchi, who was sent to Mornagiya Prison, became ill several times during this time.
Ghannouchi, stating that the lawsuits brought against him are "political" and that he "was exposed to baseless accusations", refuses to appear in the hearings.
In his speech at a funeral in February 2022, Rashid Ghannouchi did not object because he refused to attend the hearings, although it was open to appeal against the one-year prison sentence and a fine of 1000 dinars (330 dollars) on 15 May for "insulting the security forces".
Al-Nahda leader, in a statement to the public through his lawyers, "I absolutely refuse to appear at hearings unless fair conditions are met in my trial. I do not agree to appear in court dictated by the one-man regime," he said.