Tunisian Political Landscape: A Tug-of-War Over Democracy

In a significant development, Tunisia's former President Moncef Marzouki has been sentenced by a court in absentia to 22 years in prison, facing charges of undermining state security. This decision casts a stark spotlight on the nation's political tumult, eliciting fresh concerns over the intensifying crackdown on dissenters by President Kais Saied's administration.

Marzouki, who served as president between 2011 and 2014, remains a vocal critic, accusing Saied of steering Tunisia towards authoritarianism following his unilateral power consolidation since 2011. From his current refuge in Paris, Marzouki has dismissed the ruling as invalid, boldly censuring the judiciary and emphasizing that accountability would soon follow.

The move against Marzouki comes amidst a climate of increasing legal action against opposition figures, highlighted by a 15-year sentence for Sahbi Atig of the Ennahda party on money laundering charges. As Tunisia grapples with political instability, the imprisonment of key political figures signals a deeper struggle at play, with democracy itself appearing to be on trial.

(With inputs from agencies.)