Trial of 40 Tunisian opposition figures postponed until April 11

The trial of 40 Tunisian activists and opposition figures, which began on Tuesday, has been postponed until April 11, according to Reuters.

The judge did not provide a reason for the delay and has refused to release those held in custody. The decision came amid protests outside the courtroom.

The defendants include journalists, human rights activists, lawyers, business leaders, and political figures, facing charges such as plotting against state security and affiliation with a terrorist group, the Associated Press reports.

Critics and human rights organizations argue that the trials are politically motivated, accusing President Kais Saied of orchestrating a crackdown on dissent to consolidate power.

Many of Tunisia’s political party leaders remain imprisoned, including Abir Moussi and Rached Ghannouchi, two of Saied’s most prominent opponents.

Supporters of Saied justify the crackdown as necessary to combat corruption, while many Tunisians blame the political elite for the country’s ongoing economic struggles, including high inflation and unemployment.

More than 20 of the accused have fled Tunisia, and some face the possibility of the death penalty if convicted.