"My father cannot be defeated": Ghannouchi's daughter speaks to Yeni Şafak

The life sentence given to Ennahda Movement leader Rached Ghannouchi has sparked international reactions, while his daughter Soumaya Ghannouchi stated that the case was conducted with political motives. Stating that her father's health condition is good, Ghannouchi said, "My father cannot be defeated; his legacy will continue to live."

As the administration of Tunisian President Kais Saied, which liquidated the country's democratic gains through the process launched on July 25, 2021, moves toward dictatorship, the life sentence recently handed down to Ennahda Movement leader and former Speaker of Parliament Rached Ghannouchi has drawn reactions in the international public. The 84-year-old Ghannouchi was sentenced to life imprisonment as part of the case referred to as the "secret structure of Ennahda," while many other politicians were also handed heavy prison sentences. Soumaya Ghannouchi, Ghannouchi's daughter, provided information about her father's health condition.

His legacy will continue to live on

Stating that the 84-year-old politician has a mild form of Parkinson's disease affecting his right hand, Soumaya Ghannouchi said that her father, who should be with his family under normal circumstances, is being held in prison, but that his morale remains high: "My father does not know weakness or submission. He resisted the Bourguiba regime, then fought against the Ben Ali regime. Both regimes have passed into history. But Ghannouchi and the values he represents have endured. The Kais Saied regime will also come to an end one day. But Ghannouchi's legacy will continue to live."

The file is entirely politically-motivated

Making striking statements about the political atmosphere in Tunisia, Soumaya Ghannouchi compared the situation in her country to what the AK Party and the political tradition it comes from have experienced in Türkiye: "The allegations of a secret structure directed against Rached Ghannouchi and the Ennahda Movement were entirely manufactured for political purposes. The whole world knows that my father has long been a symbol of moderation and temperance. The so-called secret structure allegation resembles science fiction works rather than reality. These charges emerged after the dissolution of the Supreme Judicial Council and the appointment of special judges to try political figures. The file was prepared entirely with political motives. For this reason, my father boycotted the investigation process and also refused to appear in court."

Freedom, justice, and dignity

Soumaya Ghannouchi emphasized: "What is happening in Tunisia is reminiscent of the coup processes that Türkiye experienced in the past. My father believes that the project of freedom and Islam to which he has dedicated his life is still valid. He argues that dictatorship will bring no good, and that we must unite around the principles of freedom, justice, dignity, and standing against oppression. He sees freedom as a universal value that must be embraced for the common good of humanity."