Tunisia Sentences 4 to Death, 2 to Life in Prison for Assassination of Belaid

A Tunisian court on Wednesday sentenced four people to death and two people to life in prison on charges of participating in the murder of prominent political leader Chokri Belaid 11 years ago.
Belaid, a leftist politician, had been a fierce critic of Islamist Ennahda party. He was shot dead in his car by gunmen on Feb. 6, 2013.
Near Tunis court, dozens of Belaid supporters have gathered since Tuesday night, raising slogans demanding justice.
They chanted “Chokri is always alive” and “we are loyal to the blood of the martyrs”.
Months after Belaid’s assassination, Mohamed Brahmi another leftist was shot dead by gunmen also.
Those involved in the assassination of Belaid and Brahmi belonged to Ansar al-Sharia, an organization classified as a “terrorist group” by the government in August 2013.
Ennahda strongly denies any connection to the assassination.
“The details concluded by the judicial circles clearly show evidence of the innocence of the Ennahda”, Ennahda said on Wednesday in a statement.
It added that this verdict should restore respect to those who have been affected by false political accusations, especially the leader of Ennahda Rached Ghannouchi.
Ennahda called for opening a new page of major reconciliations and ending strife, exclusion and hatred.