Ghannouchi says he is innocent and rejects appeals against prison sentences

Former Tunisian parliament speaker and leader of the Ennahda movement, Rached Ghannouchi, has refused to appeal prison sentences issued against him because he is convinced of his innocence, his defence team said.  The movement also condemned new prison sentences handed down to several of its leaders on conspiracy-related charges in what is known as the Baja case. In a statement posted on Facebook, the defence team commented on the life sentence imposed on Ghannouchi for allegedly attempting to replace the country’s governing institutions. The lawyers said Ghannouchi “never presented himself, either publicly or secretly, as an alternative to any ruling authority”, adding that there was no evidence in the case file to support the accusation. READ: Tunisian court sentences Ennahda Leader […]