Tunis, Tunisia – A Tunisian appeals court confirmed a two-year prison sentence for Abir Moussi, the head of the Free Destourian Party (PDL), on Tuesday evening. The decision upholds an earlier ruling stemming from a lawsuit filed against her by the Independent High Authority for Elections (ISIE).
According to local reports, the criminal division of the Tunis Court of Appeal ratified the initial verdict. Moussi retains the right to appeal the decision under established legal procedures.
The case originates from June of last year, when a primary court initially sentenced Moussi to two years in prison. The ISIE had filed a complaint accusing her of disseminating misleading information regarding the electoral process and exhibiting bias against her party.
Moussi has been in custody since October 3, 2023, facing separate charges including “spreading false news likely to harm public security.” Her arrest occurred near the presidential palace as she attempted to file an appeal against decisions made by Tunisian President Kais Saied, according to statements from her party.
Furthermore, on December 12th, a primary court issued an additional 12-year prison sentence against Moussi on charges of attempting to “change the structure of the state,” as reported by local media outlets. The series of charges and convictions highlights the increasingly fraught political landscape in Tunisia.
DZWatch will continue to monitor this developing situation and provide updates as they become available.
