Tunisian Government Opens Controversial Trial of Opposition Figures

Forty individuals, including political leaders and activists, face charges of conspiring against state security in a case critics call a crackdown on dissent.

The trial, beginning March 4, 2025, involves 40 defendants accused of plotting against Tunisia's state security, with charges carrying potential death sentences.
Critics, including opposition figures and human rights groups, denounce the trial as politically motivated and aimed at silencing dissent against President Kaïs Saïed.
The case, dubbed 'Complot 1' by opponents, stems from arrests initiated in February 2023 under Tunisia's anti-terrorism laws, which critics argue were misused to bypass standard legal protections.
International organizations such as Amnesty International and the UN have condemned the proceedings, citing arbitrary detentions and violations of defendants' rights.
The trial is being held behind closed doors, with restricted access for media and families, further fueling concerns over transparency and fairness.