A Tunisian court has issued sentences following the murder of left-wing politician Chokri Belaid. Four people received death sentences, while two were sentenced to life in prison. Belaid, leader of the Popular Front coalition, was assassinated in February 2013, sparking widespread protests and political upheaval. The case was reopened last month after a former investigating judge was arrested on suspicion of concealing certain files. Wednesday’s verdict came after hours of late-night delays and lengthy deliberations due to the complexity of the case.
Before his death, Belaid had earned a following for his forceful criticisms of Ennahda, the Islamist party that rose to power after President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali became the first dictator toppled in the 2011 Arab Spring uprisings. His supporters blamed the party for taking an overly accommodating approach toward extremists after his assassination. Ennahda leaders classified Ansar al-Sharia as a terrorist group after the killing of another left-wing politician, Mohammed Brahmi, later that year. Law enforcement killed several alleged members of the al-Qaeda-linked group suspected of involvement in Belaid’s death.
Several members of Ansar al Sharia were sentenced, including Mohamed Aouadi, the head of its military arm, and Mohamed Khiari, the head of its field surveillance and information arm. The assassinations and subsequent unrest set off a political crisis for Tunisia as it struggled to transition from dictatorship to democracy. Two dozen defendants were ultimately charged in a sprawling case that took years to investigate and bring to trial. One died in prison. Of the 23 defendants sentenced on Wednesday, five were acquitted while others received sentences ranging from two to 120 years.
Aymen Chtiba, a deputy prosecutor in the terrorism court’s judicial unit, said the dismissals had to do with the similarity of sentences already handed down against some defendants in other cases. Belaid’s brother Abdelmajid Belaid called the verdict “a positive step” and said that supporters were still awaiting the trial of those suspected of planning the assassination. The case has been closely watched in Tunisia and is seen as a test for the country’s judicial system in holding accountable those responsible for political violence.
The verdict in the murder case of Chokri Belaid represents an important moment in Tunisia’s efforts to address political violence and hold perpetrators accountable. The sentencing of individuals involved in the assassination has been seen as a crucial step in seeking justice for Belaid and his supporters, who have long awaited closure in the case. The high-profile nature of this trial has heightened tensions in Tunisia and has brought to light the challenges faced by the country in its transition to democracy following the Arab Spring uprisings of 2011.
The verdict in the murder case of Chokri Belaid comes after years of investigation and legal proceedings, during which numerous individuals were charged and brought to trial. The sentencing of four individuals to death and two to life in prison sends a strong message that political violence and assassination will not be tolerated in Tunisia. Despite the challenges and delays in the case, the outcome of the trial is being seen as a positive step forward in addressing the legacy of political violence and extremism that has plagued the country in recent years. Supporters of Belaid and the Popular Front coalition continue to call for justice and accountability for those responsible for the assassination.
