Turkish parliament speaker urges release of Tunisia's Ghannouchi

Türkiye’s Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmus has called on Tunisian authorities to provide imprisoned Ennahda Movement leader and former parliament speaker Rached Ghannouchi with comprehensive medical care and conditions consistent with human dignity, while urging that he be released.

Health concerns

Kurtulmus said he was closely monitoring Ghannouchi’s situation and described the veteran Tunisian politician as a prominent figure associated with peace, democracy and social solidarity. He noted that Ghannouchi had stopped a hunger and medication strike following advice from the medical team overseeing his health.

Kurtulmus stressed that Ghannouchi’s age and existing health difficulties make his condition particularly serious. He said the Tunisian leader had devoted much of his political life to advocating freedom, justice and democracy, maintaining those principles despite periods of pressure, exile and imprisonment.

Message from Ankara

The Turkish Parliament speaker also highlighted Ghannouchi’s influence in Tunisia and abroad, pointing to his political position during Tunisia’s transition period as well as his intellectual contributions. Kurtulmus said Ghannouchi’s political stance had earned him recognition beyond Tunisia’s borders.

Describing the ties between Türkiye and Tunisia as rooted in longstanding bonds between their peoples, Kurtulmus expressed his wishes for Ghannouchi’s recovery. “Our greatest wish is that he receives the necessary medical support in full, is provided with fair and humane conditions required by human dignity, and is released,” he said.

Ghannouchi's imprisonment

Ghannouchi, who previously headed Tunisia’s parliament before President Kais Saied dissolved the legislature, has been held in prison since April 17, 2023. His detention followed a case involving remarks attributed to him, with authorities accusing him of incitement against state security.

He has subsequently received prison sentences in several separate cases. Ghannouchi has rejected the accusations and maintains that the prosecutions against him are politically motivated.