Tunisia hands Muslim cleric 21-year in prison sentence on terrorism charges

A court in Tunisia has pressed multiple-year prison sentences against four people including a Muslim cleric known as the figurehead of terror cell, on terrorism charges, Webdo Tunis reports.

The court ruling came from Tunis Court of First Instance. The prison sentences range from 1 year to 21.

The imam of Douar Hicher, a town and commune in the Manouba Governorate, got the highest prison sentence.

The prosecution accused him of plotting terror attacks against security forces in capital Tunis. The man, who has not been named, is also known to the country’s security establishment for his sermons that promote hatred and jihad in Syria.

The religious leader had reportedly joined the Okba Ibn Nafaa cell at Mount Chambi before returning to Douar Hicher and forming a terrorist cell with his wife and two other individuals.

Tunisia has been at war against terrorism since 2015 after a string of terrorist attacks killed more than 70 people, mostly foreign tourists.