Tunisian firebrand's killers sentenced to death
The leftist politician had been a fierce critic of the then-ruling Islamist Ennahda party.
He claimed it turned a blind eye to violence perpetrated by extremists against secularists.
Although Tunisia hands out death sentences for the gravest crimes, no executions have gone ahead since 1990. Instead, they are usually commuted to life terms.
A total of 23 people have been charged in connection with Belaid’s killing.
“Justice has been done,” Prosecutor Aymen Chtiba said in response to the six sentences handed down on Wednesday morning.
The verdict was announced live on national television after 15 hours of deliberation, reports the AFP news agency.
Jihadists with allegiance to the Islamic State claimed responsibility for Belaid’s assassination, as well as that of Mohamed Brahmi, another left-wing opposition figure, six months later.
