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Tunisian Court Sentences 40 Opposition Figures to Lengthy Prison Terms

In a trial criticized for procedural violations, defendants received sentences of 13 to 66 years on charges of state conspiracy and terrorism.

Un tribunal de Tunis a infligé des peines allant jusqu'à 66 ans de prison à une quarantaine de personnalités, incluant des figures de l'opposition, un jugement dénoncé samedi notamment par des ONG.
Des avocats tunisiens manifestant devant le palais de justice de Tunis, le 16 mai 2024 pour dénoncer les récentes arrestations de leurs confrères.
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Overview

  • The Tunis court convicted approximately 40 opposition leaders, activists, and business figures, sentencing them to prison terms ranging from 13 to 66 years.
  • Charges included 'conspiracy against state security' and 'membership in a terrorist group,' with limited details provided by the Parquet antiterroriste.
  • Prominent opposition figures sentenced include Issam Chebbi, Jawhar Ben Mbarek, and Kamel Eltaïef, with the latter receiving the longest sentence of 66 years.
  • Defense lawyers and Human Rights Watch condemned the trial as politically motivated, citing closed-door proceedings, restricted access, and lack of defense arguments.
  • The UN and rights organizations have accused President Kais Saied of weaponizing the judiciary to suppress dissent since his 2021 consolidation of power.