Tunisia jails opposition leaders for up to 66 years

[stamau123@lemmy.world]

Dozens of opponents of President Kais Saied were imprisoned for 13 to 66 years for national security offenses. Their trial was labeled a "farce" and part of a clampdown by the North African nation's authoritarian ruler.

A court in Tunisia sentenced opposition figures, businessmen and lawyers to jail terms of 13 to 66 years after they were found guilty of conspiring against state security, state media reported on Saturday.

The opposition said the charges were fabricated and that the trial was a symbol of President Kais Saied's authoritarian rule.

What do we know about the case?

State news agency TAP first reported the sentences that ranged from 13 to 66 years, citing a judicial spokesperson as saying they were enforced immediately.

Forty people were prosecuted in the case, although more than half of them fled abroad after being charged.

Tunisian media outlets reported that the defendants were found guilty of "conspiracy against state security and belonging to a terrorist group."

Authorities say the defendants tried to destabilize the country and overthrow Saied.

Many of those jailed were vocal critics of the president, including Nejib Chebbi, the leader of the main National Salvation Front opposition coalition.

Chebbi told reporters before Friday's sentencing that the trial proved that Tunisian authorities wanted to "criminalize the opposition."

Others include Chebbi's brother, Issam Chebbi, the leader of the centrist Republican Party, Ghazi Chaouachi, the head of the center-left Democratic Current party, and Abdelhamid Jelassi, from Ennahda, an Islamic democratic movement.

A former head of intelligence, Kamel Guizan, was also one of the defendants.