Particle.news
Download on the App Store
8 ARTICLES
·
3w ago

Tunisia Upholds Heavy Sentences in 'Conspiracy' Case as Police Arrest Opposition Figure at Protest

The rulings deepen a crackdown on dissent following President Kais Saied’s 2021 power grab.

Image
Image
Tunisians shout slogans against the president during a demonstration organised by NGOs and political parties demanding the release of political prisoners and greater freedom of expression in Tunis
Demonstrators raise placards and a banner featuring portraits of prominent political opponents jailed in the so-called ''conspiracy against state security'' case during a protest staged outside the Court of Appeal in Tunis, Tunisia, on November 27, 2025. The rally is organized by families of political prisoners and takes place to show solidarity with prominent opposition leaders jailed in the same case. The demonstration coincides with the third remote appeal hearing in the case, as prisoners involved refuse to appear before the court remotely. Two of the prisoners are currently on hunger strike in their cell to protest what they describe as politically motivated sentences, harsh prison conditions, a crackdown on human rights, and an unfair trial. (Photo by Chedly Ben Ibrahim/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Overview

  • The Tunis Court of Appeal upheld convictions with prison terms ranging from five to 45 years for opposition leaders, business figures and lawyers on charges including conspiracy against state security and belonging to a terrorist group.
  • A court document lists 40 defendants with 20 sentenced in absentia after fleeing abroad, including Kamel Ltaif at 45 years, Khayyam Turki at 35, and Ghazi Chaouachi, Issam Chebbi, Jaouhar Ben Mbarek, Ridha Belhaj and Chaima Issa at 20; Ahmed Nejib Chebbi received 12 years.
  • Police arrested opposition figure Chaima Issa in Tunis on Saturday to enforce her 20‑year sentence, her lawyers said.
  • Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch condemned the proceedings as politically motivated, citing remote hearings, late or missing notifications and pressure on defense lawyers, and called for the convictions to be quashed.
  • The European Parliament urged the release of detained critics, Saied denounced the resolution as interference and summoned the EU ambassador, and at least 2,000 people marched in the capital to protest his rule.