Tunis: The verdict in the case of the assassination of martyr Chokri Belaid has cleared the name of "those who have been smeared by political accusations without evidence, citing Ennahdha movement president Rached Ghannouchi, the movement said on Wednesday. "The verdict reached by the judiciary and the security authorities are obviously exonerating evidence for Ennahdha and, at the same time, decisive evidence condemning the suspicious agenda of the so-called defence team," reads Ennahdha statement release issued on Wednesday. More than ten years after the assassination, the truth has come to light about this case which has shaken the public opinion, sown doubts between political and ideological factions and forever ruled out the possibility of a broad consensus on a national project, reads the statement. Ennahdha further indicated that political parties wanted, at all costs, blame the movement for the assassination. "Political and ideological factions have joined this political plot against Ennahdha, us ing all means to influence justice and change the course of the case," the movement added. The latter reiterated on the occasion, call "to open the page of reconciliation and block the way to the voices of discord, exclusion and hatred." The 5th criminal chamber specialised in terrorist cases at the Tunis Court of First Instance on Wednesday handed down its verdict in the case of the assassination of martyr Chokri Belaid. The verdict was read out by First Deputy Public Prosecutor at the Judicial Counter-Terrorism Division Aymen Chtiba at a press briefing held at dawn on Wednesday at the court's headquarters and broadcast live on the "Wataniya 1" TV channel. 4 defendants were sentenced to death, while two others were sentenced to life imprisonment. The chamber also handed down prison sentences ranging from two (2) to 120 years for a number of defendants involved in the case. Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse
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