The political landscape in Tunisia is growing increasingly complex as dialogue between the government and opposition remains absent. President Kais Saied’s continued pursuit of his opponents through legal rulings and procedures, which international observers and human rights organizations deem politically motivated, is exacerbating the situation.
This comes amid escalating tensions within Tunisian society, with opposition organizations, associations, and parties returning to the streets to protest President Saied’s policies. They are demanding an end to the suppression of freedoms and the release of political prisoners.
Just recently, the Court of Appeal in Tunis issued prison sentences ranging from 10 to 45 years in the so-called “conspiracy against state security” case. Prominent opposition figures, including Jawhar Ben Mbarek, a leader in the National Salvation Front, are being prosecuted in this case.
The court increased the sentences for Ben Mbarek, Republican Party Secretary-General Issam Chebbi, and Democratic Current Party Secretary-General Ghazi Chaouachi from 18 to 20 years. Meanwhile, the sentence for National Salvation Front leader Najib Chebbi was reduced from 18 to 12 years.
According to political activist Mohammed Abbou, the sentences against the opposition members are a result of President Saied’s control over Tunisian state institutions and the judiciary’s subservience to his decisions. Abbou claims this is unlawful and alleges that the head of the Court of Appeal is implicated in corruption cases.
Abbou accused the Tunisian judiciary of politicizing the case, which originated from a police report to the Ministry of Justice in February 2023 alleging a group of individuals was plotting against the internal and external security of the state. He stated that the judiciary has entered a phase of absurdity and degradation in fabricating cases against the opposition.
Similarly, Amnesty International believes that the Court of Appeal’s upholding of harsh sentences in the conspiracy case confirms the judiciary’s transformation into a tool to eliminate the opposition. The organization described the trial as a sham marred by serious violations of justice standards, denying the defendants the right to attend their hearings.
Critics argue that the authorities and the judiciary have failed to adequately explain the details of the alleged conspiracy to the Tunisian people.
