[CLSTR]
< Back to situation

[REVISION HISTORY]

Tunisian top court upholds opposition convictions

Updated 1 time since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-09-03 09:52 UTC → 2026-09-04 10:58 UTC · added removed

Tunisian state security conspiracy legal proceedings top court upholds opposition convictions

The Tunisian political landscape remains defined by legal battles surrounding a “conspiracy against state security” case involving approximately forty individuals, including opposition figures, lawyers, and businessmen. These individuals were arrested in February 2023 following crackdowns on critics of President Kais Saied. Following previous criminal court sentences ranging from 10 to 45 years for various defendants, In September 2026, the Court of Cassation scheduled a decisive hearing rejected final appeals, upholding prison sentences for those accused of conspiring to review appeals. The overthrow the president. Sentences include 12 years for National Salvation Front leader Najib Chebbi, 10 years for Noureddine Bhiri, and the Coordination of Families of Political Prisoners 20 years each for Ghazi Chaouachi, Issam Chebbi, Jawhar Ben Mbarek, and Ridha Belhaj. Defense lawyers and families have criticized the judicial process, proceedings, alleging the judiciary lacks independence and noting that defense teams and families were notified of the final hearing only a few days in advance. was scheduled with insufficient notice. The National Coordination for the Release of Political Prisoners Salvation Front, which has called for protests in front of the court to demand several imprisoned members including Ahmed Najib Chabi and Reda Belhaj, has demanded the release of those they define as all political detainees. While the Court of Cassation is tasked with reviewing detainees and an end to using the judiciary to manage political conflicts. While critics view these legal conformity actions as a sign of democratic backsliding and a consolidation of absolute rule following Saied’s 2021 exceptional measures, the previous ruling rather than re-examining facts, Tunisian government denies accusations of political persecution, maintaining that the outcome will determine whether defendants sought to destabilize the existing sentences become final or if a new trial is granted. state.

Versions

  1. 2026-09-04 10:58 UTC Tunisian top court upholds opposition convictions
  2. 2026-09-03 09:52 UTC Tunisian state security conspiracy legal proceedings

Only revisions since CLSTR began indexing content versions appear here. Select a version to see what changed compared to the one before it.