Lawyers condemn last week’s opposition trial in Tunisia as political repression

Tunisian lawyers and families are challenging the legitimacy of a mass trial that handed nearly 900 years of combined prison sentences to around 40 opposition figures, critics, and activists. The accused—some already jailed, others in exile—were charged with conspiracy and terrorism in a case lawyers say lacks evidence and violates due process.

Among those sentenced are prominent politicians, lawyers, and businesspeople, including Kamel Eltaief, who received 66 years. French intellectual Bernard-Henri Lévy, tried in absentia, was sentenced to 33 years. Defence lawyers, denied full access to files, say the trial was politically motivated and preordained. One lawyer, Ahmed Souab, was arrested after criticizing judicial pressure.

Human Rights Watch said the proceedings lacked any “semblance of a fair trial.” Critics view the trial as part of President Kais Saied’s broader authoritarian turn since his 2021 power grab, which has drawn sharp condemnation from human rights groups and international observers.