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Tunisia Sentences Opposition Leader Abir Moussi to 12 Years in Prison

The verdict deepens a crackdown critics say has gutted judicial independence.

President of Tunisia's Free Destourian Party Abir Moussi speaks to the media during a protest demanding the dissolution of parliament and asking for early legislative elections, in Tunis, Tunisia November 20, 2021. REUTERS/Zoubeir Souissi

Overview

  • Her lawyer, Nafaa Laribi, called the December 12 ruling unjust and politically ordered.
  • Abir Moussi, who leads the Free Constitutional Party, was arrested in 2023 at the presidential palace entrance on suspicion of assault intended to cause chaos.
  • Rights groups say the case reflects a sustained campaign against opponents, journalists, activists and civil society figures.
  • An appeals court last month issued prison terms of up to 45 years for dozens of opposition leaders, business figures and lawyers on conspiracy charges.
  • President Kais Saied denies using the judiciary against rivals, saying he is cleansing Tunisia of “traitors”.