National Salvation Front demands reversal of Tunisian state security convictions

The Tunisian opposition group, the National Salvation Front, has called for the reversal of sentences handed down in the “conspiracy against state security” case. The group expressed deep concern regarding an upcoming Court of Cassation session scheduled for Thursday, noting that the hearing was set urgently and defense teams and families were only notified two days in advance.

The Front is directly impacted by the case, as its leader, Ahmed Najib Chabi, and political committee members Reda Belhaj, Jawhar Ben Mubarak, and Chaima Issa are currently imprisoned. The group is demanding the release of all political detainees and an end to the use of the judiciary to manage political conflicts.

In November, a criminal court issued final sentences ranging from 10 to 45 years for various defendants. Notable figures sentenced include Ennahda Movement leader Noureddine Bhiri (25 years), former presidential office chief Reda Belhaj (20 years), Republican Party Secretary-General Issam Chabi (20 years), and former minister Ghazi Chaouachi (20 years).

This legal battle occurs amid a prolonged political crisis in Tunisia following President Kais Saied’s decision to implement exceptional measures in July 2021. While critics view these actions as a consolidation of absolute rule, Saied maintains they are constitutional measures to protect the state.