**Tunisia’s Top Court Upholds Conviction of Opposition Figures and Activists**
*Published September 3, 2026*
Tunisia's Court of Cassation has upheld the convictions of numerous opposition figures and activists, confirming prison sentences of up to 45 years for those accused of conspiring to overthrow President Kais Saied. This ruling, delivered on Thursday, marks the conclusion of a protracted legal process that has spanned over three years and involved 40 individuals, including political leaders, lawyers, businessmen, and human rights advocates.
Among those sentenced is Najib Chebbi, the leader of the National Salvation Front, who received a 12-year prison term. Other notable figures include Ghazi Chaouachi, Issam Chebbi, Jawhar Ben Mbarek, and Ridha Belhaj, each sentenced to 20 years. Politician Noureddine Bhiri was given a 10-year sentence. The court's decision also affects several defendants who had fled the country and were tried in absentia.
The ruling has sparked significant criticism from various quarters, with many asserting that it underscores a lack of judicial independence in Tunisia. Haifa Chebbi, a lawyer and daughter of Najib Chebbi, expressed her discontent, stating that the defendants were "silenced" through a politically motivated case aimed at imprisoning opposition figures. She asserted that the political landscape in Tunisia would only change when President Saied's rule comes to an end.
The legal representatives of the convicted individuals have raised concerns about the fairness of the proceedings, noting that they were informed of the hearing just days before it took place, which limited their ability to prepare an adequate defense. Dalila Msaddek, sister of Jawhar Ben Mbarek, commented on social media that the legal battle has concluded, but what lies ahead is a "purely political battle."
This case is viewed as a critical indicator of Tunisia's democratic backsliding since President Saied's ascension to power in 2019. Since then, Saied has governed largely by decree, dissolved the independent Supreme Judicial Council, and dismissed numerous judges, actions that have raised alarms about the state of democracy and human rights in the country.
In response to the convictions, the Tunisian government has dismissed allegations of political persecution. The Minister of Justice has asserted that the defendants aimed to destabilize the nation, while President Saied has labeled the accused as "traitors and terrorists," threatening that judges who would acquit them would be treated as accomplices.
As Tunisia grapples with ongoing political unrest and economic challenges, including power cuts and rising discontent among the populace, the implications of this ruling are likely to resonate throughout the country. Protests against Saied's rule have intensified, with demonstrators calling for an end to what they describe as "absurdity, failure, and injustice."
The situation remains fluid as the political landscape evolves, and the reactions from both the government and the opposition will play a crucial role in shaping Tunisia's future.