Ennahda, Tunisia’s main opposition party, has condemned the imprisonment of its leader as politically motivated.
Rached Ghannouchi, a prominent critic of President Kais Saied, was sentenced to prison early Thursday by a judge.
On Monday, Mr. Ghannouchi was arrested on suspicion of plotting against state security and making “inciting statements.”
Ennahda has stated that his detention will not end Tunisia’s crippling crisis.
The authorities banned the party from holding meetings this week and closed the headquarters of the Salvation Front, the main opposition coalition.
The US described Tunisia’s latest actions as a troubling escalation.
Mr. Ghannouchi was the speaker of Tunisia’s parliament until it was abolished in 2021 by President Saied.
