Tunisia’s Court of Appeal has sentenced former Prime Minister Ali al-Alayed to 24 years in prison for helping Tunisians travel to Syria “to commit terrorist crimes” over the past decade.
Today (Friday), the Tunisian News Agency quoted a judicial official as saying: “Eight people, including a former employee of the Ministry of Interior, were sentenced, with prison terms ranging from three to 24 years.”
The court sentenced Ali Al-Alayed to 24 years in prison (initial sentence of 34 years), Fatih Baladi to 22 years in prison (initial sentence of 26 years), Abdul Karim Al Obaidi to 22 years in prison (initial sentence of 26 years), Nur al-Din Kunduz to 28 years in prison (initial sentence of 36 years), and Lutfi to 24 years in prison. Al Hammami was sentenced to 24 years in prison (his first sentence was 28 years). Hisham Al Saadi will be under administrative supervision for 24 years (36 primary years), Sami Al Shaar will be in 2006 (18 primary years), and Saif al-Din Al Rayes will be in 2003 (24 primary years), with the exception of Sami Al Shaar and Saif al-Din. Al-Reys will be sentenced to two years in prison, starting from the date of execution or expiry of his sentence.
The first verdict in the so-called “deportation” case was issued in May 2025, with sentences ranging from 18 to 36 in prison, with all convicts subject to five years of administrative supervision.
Meanwhile, Al-Alayed, who has been detained since 2022, said in a court hearing yesterday (Thursday): “I am innocent. I have been subjected to injustice, abuse and ingratitude.”
Al-Alayed, a prominent leader of the Brotherhood’s Ennahda party, served as prime minister in 2013 and 2014 during the turmoil that followed Tunisia’s 2011 uprising.
After the uprising, hundreds of Tunisians traveled to Syria, Iraq, and Libya to join and fight against ISIS. The Annada Party at the time faced harsh criticism for allegedly arranging the trip during its rule, a charge the party has repeatedly and categorically denied.
Tunisia’s Court of Appeal has sentenced former Prime Minister Ali Lalayed to 24 years in prison for helping Tunisians travel to Syria over the past decade “to commit terrorist crimes.”
Tunisian news agencies reported today (Friday) that a judicial official said: “Eight people, including former officials of the Ministry of Interior, have been sentenced to prison terms ranging from three to 24 years.”
The court sentenced Ali Lalayed to 24 years in prison (originally 34 years), Fatih Belhadi to 22 years (originally 26 years), Abdel Karim Al Abidi to 22 years (originally 26 years), Nour Eddin Qandous to 28 years (originally 36 years), and Lotfi Al Hammami to 24 years (originally). Hisham al-Saadi for 24 years (originally 36 years), Sami al-Shaar for six years (originally 18 years), and Saif Eddin al-Raith for three years (originally 24 years), each of whom will be under administrative supervision for five years. However, Sami Al Shaar and Saif Eddin Al Rais will be under supervision for two years from 2016. The date on which the sentence was executed or completed.
The first sentence in the case, known as the “travel case,” will be handed down in May 2025, with sentences ranging from 18 to 36 years, with all individuals convicted subject to five years of administrative supervision.
Meanwhile, Laraed, who has been detained since 2022, said at his court hearing yesterday (Thursday): “I am innocent. I have been subjected to injustice, persecution and ingratitude.”
Laraed, a leader of the Annada party, served as prime minister in 2013 and 2014 during the turmoil that followed Tunisia’s 2011 uprising.
After the uprising, hundreds of Tunisians traveled to Syria, Iraq and Libya to join and fight alongside the ISIS group, but the Annada party faced harsh criticism at the time for arranging their trips under its rule, a charge the party has repeatedly and categorically denied.
