Tunisia's Cassation Court Confirms Lengthy Prison Terms for Opposition Figures
Tunisia's highest court upheld sentences of up to 45 years for dozens of opposition leaders, lawyers and businessmen, reinforcing President Kais Saied's contested authority.
On Thursday, Tunisia's Cassation Court affirmed prison sentences of up to 45 years for 40 people charged with conspiring to overthrow President Kais Saied, concluding a three-year legal process that cannot be appealed. The defendants include opposition leaders, lawyers and businessmen, with twenty sentenced in absentia after escaping the country. Prominent figures such as Ghazi Chaouachi, Issam Chebbi, Jawhar Ben Mbarek, Ridha Belhaj and Noureddine Bhiri received terms from 10 to 20 years, while National Salvation Front leader Nejib Chebbi was given 12 years.
Opposition lawyer Haifa Chebbi condemned the decision as evidence that the judiciary is no longer independent, asserting that the prisoners will be freed only if Saied’s regime ends. Saied maintains that the courts are autonomous, despite criticism that he has undermined judicial independence since suspending parliament and assuming extraordinary powers in 2021.
Why it matters
The ruling highlights Tunisia's deepening political crackdown and raises concerns about judicial independence under President Saied.
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