US EditionTunisia hands prison terms to dozens of opposition figures
Nearly 40 opposition figures received prison terms up to 45 years in a politically charged case amid Tunisia's 2023 crackdown on dissent, rights groups say.
- Tunisian appeals court on Friday confirmed lengthy prison terms ranging from five to 45 years for opposition leaders, businessmen and lawyers, a court document showed.
- The case centres on charges of `conspiracy against state security` and related terrorism counts, with Tunisian authorities accusing defendants of trying to overthrow President Kais Saied since 2021.
- Prominent figures including Jawhar Ben Mbarek received long terms, with Ben Mbarek, Ghazi Chaouachi and Issam Chebbi sentenced to 20 years and Kamel Ltaief's term reduced from 66 years.
- Thousands marched through Tunis demanding political prisoners' release after appeal rulings, and the European Parliament urged releases and repeal of restrictive laws, while Kais Saied condemned the EU move as `blatant interference`.
- Rights groups warned the rulings deepen democratic backsliding as the `conspiracy case` with 37 defendants affirms that peaceful opposition is criminalised, shrinking Tunisia's political space.
33 Articles
33 Articles
Pronounced this Friday, 28 November, they range from five to forty-five prisons. The most severe penalty falls on the businessman Kamel Letaief. A total of thirty-seven people were prosecuted - mainly figures of the Tunisian opposition - in a procedure considered a parody of justice by several human rights organisations.
Tunisia hands prison terms between 5 and 45 years to opposition leaders
A Tunisian appeals court on Friday handed jail terms of up to 45 years to opposition leaders, businessmen and lawyers, a court document showed, in what critics said was a sign of President Kais Saied's increasingly authoritarian rule.
A parody of justice, HRW denounces. All were prosecuted for violating state security or terrorism. ...
The sentences handed down on Friday 28 November in Tunis against 34 political opponents of the regime range from five to forty-five years in prison. "A relentless campaign to silence dissent," according to Amnesty International.
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