Sat Apr 19 08:39:16 UTC 2025: ## Tunisian Court Hands Down Harsh Sentences to Dozens of Opposition Figures

**Tunis, Tunisia** – A Tunisian court has sentenced 40 opposition figures to lengthy prison terms on charges of conspiracy against state security, sparking outrage from human rights groups and international observers. The sentences, ranging from 13 to 66 years, were handed down on Saturday, according to state media.

Among those convicted are prominent figures including a former justice minister, diplomats, the former head of intelligence Kamel Guizani, and several media personalities. Approximately 20 defendants, including French intellectual Bernard-Henri Levy, were tried and sentenced in absentia. The trial, dubbed the “conspiracy case,” has been ongoing for roughly two years. Details surrounding the proceedings remain scarce, with critics alleging a lack of due process and fair trial guarantees.

The convictions stem from accusations of plotting to destabilize the country and overthrow President Kais Saied. Prosecutors alleged the defendants collaborated with foreign powers to undermine Saied’s rule and belonged to a terrorist group. However, opposition figures and human rights organizations vehemently deny the charges, characterizing them as politically motivated and a tool to suppress dissent.

Human Rights Watch has condemned the trial, with Bassam Khawaja, deputy Middle East and North Africa director, stating that President Saied has weaponized the judicial system to target political opponents. Defense lawyers also denounced the proceedings, describing them as a farce and highlighting the absence of a proper defense hearing.

This latest wave of convictions follows the imprisonment of other prominent opposition leaders, including Ennahdha party leader Rached Ghannouchi, who is serving multiple sentences on similar charges. The harsh sentences reinforce concerns about the erosion of democratic norms and human rights under President Saied’s rule, which has been characterized by the consolidation of power and the silencing of dissent since 2021. President Saied has rejected accusations of authoritarianism, labeling the defendants as “traitors and terrorists.” The international community is expected to closely monitor the situation and the implications for human rights in Tunisia.

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