Moncef Marzouki

About

Tunisian opposition leader and human rights activist who returned from exile in France to take lead of the country after the Arab Spring in 2011.

Before Fame

He studied medicine in France, and returned to Tunisia to found several human rights organizations, but returned to France after the Tunisian government began persecuting dissidents.

Trivia

As president of the new country, he sought to balance Islam with liberal democracy, upholding a conviction for 'insulting the sacred,' but condemning another conviction for blasphemy.

Family Life

He was born in Grombalia, Tunisia.

Associated With

Like Nelson Mandela he went from a longtime critic of the government to its leader.