Tunisian High Court Upholds Long Prisons for Overthrowing Plans Against President Saied
Critics claim Tunisia’s judiciary acts under political pressure, as opposition leaders face lengthy imprisonment.
On September 3, the Tunisian Court of Cassation rejected the final appeals of dozens of opposition figures, confirming convictions of up to 45 years for individuals accused of conspiring to overthrow President Kais Saied.
This ruling concluded three years of legal proceedings against 40 individuals, including leaders of opposing parties, lawyers, business owners, and human rights advocates. Half of these defendants had left the country and received sentences in absentia.
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Among those sentenced were National Salvation Front leader Najib Chebbi—sentenced to 12 years—and opposition figures Ghiad Chaouathi, Issam Chebbi, Jawhar Ben Mbarek, and Ridha Belhaj, each receiving 20-year terms. Politician Nour al-Dine Bhiri was condemned to 10 years.
“The ruling confirms that the judiciary lacks true independence,” said Haifa Chebbi, lawyer and Najib’s daughter, who stated her father and fellow defendants were effectively silenced by a legal case engineered to detain opposition candidates. “Opponents entered prison through political dictate and will return once Saied leaves power.”
Legal representatives alleging that defendants were given notice of Thursday’s hearing only on Monday indicated insufficient time to prepare defenses.
Dalila Msaddek, who shares guilt with her brother Jawfar Ben Mbarek, noted on Facebook that “the legal struggle has ended… what follows is purely a political fight.”
The case is widely viewed as exemplifying Tunisia’s democratic retreat since Saied’s 2019 election, during which he has ruled extensively by presidential decree, dismantled the independent Supreme Judicial Council, and sidelined numerous judges.
Saied’s administration disputes claims of political persecution.
The Tunisian justice minister asserted that the defendants attempted to destabilize the nation, while Saied himself labeled the accused “traitors and terrorists” after their 2023 arrests, warning that judges acquitting them would be deemed accomplices.
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Tunisian High Court Upholds Extended Imprisonments for Accused Attempted Coup Against President Saied
Critics argue Tunisia’s courts serve political interests, as opposition leaders receive lengthy prison sentences.
On 3 September, the Tunisian Court of Cassation rejected the conclusive appeal against multiple opposition members, affirming convictions of up to forty-five years for prosecutors alleged to have plotted a coup against President Kais Saied.
The judgment wrapped three years of litigation involving thirty‑two individuals, encompassing leaders of opposition parties, attorneys, entrepreneurs, and civil society representatives. Twenty of those faced exile and were sentenced while abroad.
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Key judgments included twelve‑year sentence for National Salvation Front head Najib Chebbi, and twenty‑year mandates for Ghiad Chaouathi, Issam Chebbi, Jawhar Ben Mbarek, and Ridha Belhaj; Nour al‑Dine Bhiri received ten years.
“This decision demonstrates a judiciary compromised by politics,” declared Haiba Chebbi, lawyer and Najib Chebbi’s daughter, who testified that defendants were essentially marginalized through a purposeful prosecution aimed at silencing the opposition. “Our opponents end up in cells because of political motives and should be released once Saied loses his grip.”
Legal counsel emphasized inadequate time granted for preparation before Thursday’s hearing began on Monday.
Dalila Msaddek, linked to her sibling Jawhar Ben Mbarek, posted on social media that “the legal battle is finished… now a pure political contest unfolds.”
The case epitomizes Tunisia’s steady drift toward authoritarianism since Saeid’s 2019 takeover, which saw him assume extensive executive powers, collapse an independent judiciary, and dismiss scores of senior magistrates.
The Saeid administration disputes the notion of political wrongdoing.
Tunisia’s justice minister maintained that defendants aimed to unsettle the state, while President Saeid personally termed the accused “terrorists and traitors” following the March 2023 arrests, threatening to treat any acquittals as complicity.
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Critics argue Tunisia’s judiciary serves political agendas as opposition leaders secured lengthy prison terms.
On 3 September, the Tunisian Court of Cassation rejected the final appeal against multiple opposition figures, confirming convictions ranging to forty‑five years for persons charged with plotting an overthrow of President Kais Saied.
The verdict concluded three years of litigation that targeted thirty‑two individuals, spanning heads of rival political groups, legal professionals, business executives, and human‑rights workers. Half of those litigants left the country and were rendered guilty in absentia.
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Among the sentenced were Najib Chebbi, leader of the National Salvation Front, handed a twelve‑year term; Ghiad Chaouathi, Issam Chebbi, Jawhar Ben Mbarek, and Ridha Belhaj, each receiving two decades; and politician Nour al‑Dine Bhiri, sentenced to ten years.
“This judgment reveals a judiciary corrupted by politics,” declared Haiba Chebbi, attorney for journalist Najib Chebbi, noting that “opposition members were effectively silenced through a legal strategy designed to imprison them, and they will be freed the moment Saeid departs power.”
Procedural complaints highlighted that defendants were informed of the Thursday hearing only on Monday, leaving scant opportunity to prepare defenses.
Dalila Msaddek, sister‑in‑law to former defendant Jawhar Ben Mbarek, shared on Facebook that “the courtroom saga has ended; what follows is a strictly political struggle.”
The episode stands as a defining illustration of Tunisian democratic erosion since Saeid’s consolidation of authority in 2019, a period marked by expanded presidential rule, dissolution of an autonomous judiciary, and purges of senior judges.
Saeid’s administration denies allegations of political repression.
The Ministry of Justice affirmed that the accused harbored intent to destabilize the state, while President Saeid publicly labeled the accused “traitors and terrorists” after their arrests in early 2023, warning that judges who acquit them would be judged as conspirators.
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