Tunisian court has sentenced four people to death and two to life imprisonment for their roles in the 2013 assassination of prominent secular opposition leader Chokri Belaid.
The verdict comes after a lengthy investigation spanning over a decade.
Belaid’s killing, claimed by the Islamic State group, was a major setback for Tunisia’s young democracy established following the 2011 Arab Spring uprising.
The slow pace of the investigation fueled accusations of obstruction against the then-ruling Islamist party, Ennahdha.
These accusations have been used by President Kais Saied to justify his controversial power grab in 2021.
The court delivered its verdict on Wednesday after extensive deliberations.
A total of 23 individuals received sentences ranging from two to 120 years, with five defendants acquitted.
While Tunisia retains the death penalty, particularly in terrorism cases, a de facto moratorium means these sentences are likely to be commuted to life imprisonment.
“Justice has been done,” declared prosecutor Aymen Chtiba, expressing satisfaction with the court’s decision.
