MWE Correspondent
A Tunisian appeals court has sentenced nearly 40 opposition politicians, business leaders, and media figures to prison terms of up to 45 years, marking one of the most sweeping crackdowns in the country’s modern political history.
The ruling, delivered in the capital Tunis, follows months of investigations into what authorities describe as a “coordinated attempt to undermine national security.”
Court officials said the defendants were convicted under Tunisia’s national security laws after prosecutors argued they participated in activities aimed at destabilizing state institutions. Some of those sentenced had already fled the country before the verdict, with several receiving their jail terms in absentia.
The case has sparked widespread criticism both inside and outside Tunisia. Human rights groups say the trials lacked transparency and amounted to political persecution, particularly targeting individuals known to oppose President Kais Saied. International observers have also warned that the ruling deepens concerns that Tunisia is drifting further away from democratic norms, more than a decade after the Arab Spring raised global hopes for political reform in the country.
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Government officials, however, insist the court acted independently and that the individuals involved posed a genuine threat to national stability. They argue that the investigations uncovered a network attempting to cause political unrest and weaken public trust in state institutions.
Several lawyers representing the convicted figures said they would appeal the verdict at higher judicial levels, calling the case “legally flawed” and “driven by political motives.” They accused the government of weaponizing security laws to silence critics ahead of key national political processes.
The sweeping sentences have intensified political tensions across Tunisia. Demonstrations erupted in parts of Tunis after the court ruling, with protestors demanding judicial reforms and accusing the government of shrinking civic space. Opposition groups have vowed to continue challenging the verdicts, arguing that Tunisia’s political future depends on restoring fairness and constitutional freedoms.
The international community is following the situation closely. Several governments and rights organizations have urged Tunisia to respect due process and protect civil liberties, warning that the convictions could strain the country’s diplomatic ties if seen as part of a broader pattern of political repression.
