The latest mass trial in Tunis' primary court has ensured that President Kais Saied won't have to worry about dissent from 21 of his fiercest political opponents for many years to come.

On Tuesday, politicians and officials, including opposition leader Rached Ghannouchi, were variously sentenced to 12 to 35 years in prison.

Ghannouchi, the 86-year-old leader of Tunisia's Islamist Ennahda party and former speaker of the parliament, refused to appear in court, where he was given a 14-year sentence for forming a "secret security apparatus."

By staying in his cell, where he has been since April 2023, he upheld his boycott of Tunisia's judiciary, which he deems politically manipulated. Together with the latest verdict, his prison time now adds up to 27 years.

Ten of those convicted for charges of terrorism, violence, or attempts to overthrow the government are already in jail.

The other 11 convicted politicians have already left the country. Among them are Tunisia's former Prime Minister Youssef Chahed, former Foreign Minister Rafik Abdessalem, Nadia Akacha, Saied's former chief of staff, and Tasnim and Mouadh Ghannouchi, the children of Rached Ghannouchi.

However, as they would be arrested upon return, the verdicts essentially bar them from entering........

© Deutsche Welle