Tunisia: Crackdown on political opponents continues
Tunisian President Kaies Saied’s crackdown on political opponents continued on November 29th, as prominent opposition figure Chaima Issa was arrested while participating in an anti-government protest in Tunis, Africanews via AP reported.
This comes after reports from November 28th of opposition leaders, businessmen and lawyers being handed sentences of up to 45 years, all charged with conspiracy to overthrow the president. Issa was given a 20-year sentence, which has been labelled by her supporters as unfair and politically motivated.
Many of the defendants, who were critical of President Saied, were charged with “conspiracy against the state” and “belonging to a terrorist group”.
Speaking at the demonstration, alongside two other convicted politicians, Issa encouraged the divided opposition to assemble and fight back against the draconian rule of President Saied.
Tunisian police are also expected to arrest Najib Chebbi, leader of the opposition coalition, National Salvation Front. Chebbi received a 12-year sentence during the trial, whilst fellow opposition figure Ayachi Hammami received a five-year sentence.
Human rights groups across the world have condemned the court rulings, arguing that they reflect a deepening crackdown on dissent and a further erosion of judicial independence in Tunisia. Several organisations noted that the case fits into a broader pattern of authorities using the legal system to intimidate critics, journalists, and opposition figures, especially since the political changes initiated in 2021.
Human Rights Watch described the situation in Tunisia as a “travesty of justice”, saying it was “political, unfair, and without the slightest evidence” against the accused.
The reign of President Saied has been littered with authoritarian measures, legislation he maintains is aimed at ending the disorder and corruption that have plagued the country for years.
After seizing power in 2021 he set about increasing administrative authority, this involved suspending parliament and subsequently jailing many of his major critics. These new rules were later validated in a new constitution following a mostly boycotted 2022 referendum.
Maghrebi.org, Africanews via AP
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