Following a judicial process spanning over twelve years in the assassination case of martyr Chokri Belaid, the specialized terrorism circuit at the Tunis Court of Appeal has delivered its final verdicts. In response, the Ennahda movement issued an urgent statement carrying deep political and legal weight, asserting that these rulings represent a turning point that ends a long era of “political demonization” against the movement and its leadership.
1. The Core of the Statement: A Declaration of Total Innocence The central message of Ennahda’s statement emphasizes that the final appeal rulings have categorically proven the innocence of the movement and its president. The party maintains that the final judgment records are entirely free of any direct or indirect conviction against any Ennahda member. The movement views this as conclusive evidence of the invalidity of the political accusations and “fabrications” that sought to link it to the crime—a core element of Tunisian political friction for the past decade.
2. The Significance of Timing and Judicial Independence The movement also focused on the political framework in which the rulings were issued:
- Countering “Dominance” Claims: Ennahda highlighted that the verdicts were delivered while the movement is out of power and facing political restrictions. This focus aims to debunk ongoing claims of a “dominated” or politicized judiciary, showcasing the integrity of the Tunisian justice system.
- Ending Political Exploitation: The statement represents an attempt to use the legal outcome to “turn the page” on the political weaponization of the case, which has deeply impacted the Tunisian landscape since 2013.
In conclusion, the movement called on all political and media entities to respect the judiciary’s rulings as the final arbiter. The statement is a strategic move to reshape the movement’s public image and shift the national dialogue away from assassination accusations toward future political reconciliations.