Tunisia: 4 Sentenced to Death for Murder of Key Politician
The Facts
A Tunisian court on Wednesday sentenced four people to death and two to life in prison for their role in the assassination of a left-wing politician, Chokri Belaïd, in Feb. 2013.
Among the two dozen defendants charged in this years-long case, one died in prison before the ruling, while five were acquitted. Others received sentences varying from two to 120 years.
The Spin
Narrative A
More than a decade after the tragic and appalling killing of Belaïd, justice has finally been served to those involved in this crime. With these sentences, Tunisia's legal system has upheld the rule of law and human rights while stressing that no one will be left unaccountable for their crimes.
Narrative B
It's a matter of fact that those involved in the killing of Belaïd must face justice for their crimes, but capital punishment is just as awful as what they've done — and attacks the very first human right, the right to life. The de facto moratorium on the death penalty in place for decades is weak and doesn't stop courts from imposing capital sentences, which amounts to torture against death row inmates.