Tunisia’s top court upholds conviction of opposition figures, activists

Critics claim Tunisia’s judiciary acts under political pressure, as opposition leaders face lengthy prison terms.Published On 3 Sep 20263 Sep 2026Tunisia’s Court of Cassation has rejected in a mass trial the final appeal of dozens of opposition figures, upholding prison sentences of up to 45 years for figures accused of conspiring to overthrow President Kais Saied.The ruling on Thursday closes out three years of legal proceedings against 40 people, including opposition party leaders, lawyers, businessmen and human rights defenders. Half of those had fled the country and were sentenced in absentia.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Tunisia swelters as power cuts disrupt water supplieslist 2 of 3Five years after Saied’s power grab, Tunisia’s old grievances resurfacelist 3 of 3Tunisia protests: Water, power cuts and rising angerend of listAmong those sentenced were National Salvation Front leader Najib Chebbi – sentenced to 12 years – and opposition figures Ghazi Chaouachi, Issam Chebbi, Jawhar Ben Mbarek and Ridha Belhaj – each sentenced to 20 years. Politician Noureddine Bhiri was sentenced to 10 years.“The ruling confirms that the judiciary is not independent,” said Haif...