A Tunisian court sentenced prominent opposition leaders and business figures to prison terms ranging from 13 to 66 years on Saturday over what authorities describe as a conspiracy to undermine state security. The mass trial, which targeted 40 individuals, has drawn sharp criticism from rights groups and opposition parties who say the charges are 'politically motivated' and emblematic of President Kais Saied’s 'increasingly authoritarian rule.'
The accused include former presidential candidate Alaya Zammel and political veteran Nejib Chebbi. More than 20 defendants have fled the country, while several others have been in detention since 2023, according to Deutsche Welle.
The defendants face sweeping charges of “conspiring against internal and external state security,” “forming a terrorist organization,” and “membership in a group tied to terrorist acts.” Authorities claim the group aimed to destabilize Tunisia, incite chaos, and orchestrate regime change, Reuters reported.
While opposition figures told Reuters that the allegations are fabricated and intended to silence dissent, human rights organizations say the trial reinforces fears over President Saied’s consolidation of power since he dissolved parliament in 2021 and restructured the judiciary, including dismissing dozens of judges.
“This so-called conspiracy case is a farce. This regime offers Tunisians nothing but more repression,” said Hamma Hammami, head of the Workers’ Party, who attended the hearings in solidarity with the accused.
Among those convicted is Ayachi Zammel who was sentenced last October to 12 years for allegedly forging popular support endorsements ahead of the 2024 presidential race. His arrest came just hours before Tunisia’s election commission confirmed his candidacy.
President Saied, who previously referred to many of the defendants as “traitors and terrorists,” said in 2023 that judges who might acquit them “share their guilt.”
Opposition leaders argue that the group had been preparing a unifying initiative to confront what they call a “democratic rollback” in the country that sparked the Arab Spring.
