End the Fake Trial; Free Those Unlawfully Imprisoned A TunisianOn November 17, 2025, the court is set to consider the appeal of 37 individua...
End the Fake Trial; Free Those Unlawfully Imprisoned
A TunisianOn November 17, 2025, the court is set to consider the appeal of 37 individuals who received severe prison sentences in a politically driven "Conspiracy Case" that took place in April, as reported by Human Rights Watch today. Among those held, four are on a hunger strike, including one who, according to his legal representatives, was physically assaulted in prison on November 11.
The accused were indicted under multiple sections of Tunisia's Penal Code and the2015 Counterterrorism Lawinvolving efforts to destabilize the nation. Human Rights Watch examined legal papers in the case and determined the accusations to be baseless and lacking credible support. Human Rights Watch stated that the court should promptly annul the unjust convictions and free all those held in detention.
"This whole case has been a deception, starting with unfounded charges to a legal process lacking fair trial protections," saidBassam Khawaja, deputy director for the Middle East and North Africa at Human Rights Watch. "The authorities must put an end to this judicial farce, which is part of a broader campaign against any form of criticism or opposition."
On April 19, the Tunis First Instance CourtsentencedThirty-seven individuals, including critics of President Kais Saied, activists, lawyers, and scholars, received prison sentences varying from 4 to 66 years for "conspiring against national security" and terrorism charges. They were found guilty following just three court sessions without proper legal safeguards. Three additional defendants are still awaiting trial and are currently under review by the Court of Cassation.
On October 24, the defense attorneys found out about the date of the initial appeal hearingheld remotelyvia video call on October 27. The detained defendants were informed only on the day of the hearing, while the other defendants did not receive a notice, according to a lawyer speaking to Human Rights Watch. On October 27, the court session was postponed until November 17.
Jaouhar Ben Mbarek, a political activist who received an 18-year prison sentence in April,began a hunger strikefrom October 29 to protest his unlawful detention. He has not been provided with proper medical treatment while in custody, according to his lawyer and sister Dalila Msaddek. The Tunisian League for Human Rights and a number of lawyers haveraised concernsregarding his health, which prison officialsrejected. In a videoPosted on Facebook, Msaddek mentioned that on November 11, her brother was taken to a section of Belli prison that lacks surveillance cameras and was brutally beaten by six other prisoners and five prison staff. He has bruises across his body and a fractured rib, she stated.
Politician Issam Chebbi and attorney Ridha Belhaj, who received the same punishment as Ben Mbarek,beganA hunger strike took place on November 7 and 8, respectively. Political activist Abdelhamid Jelassi, who received a 13-year prison sentence, also initiated a hunger strike on November 10.
The trial in April took place without the primary defendants, denying them a genuine chance to present their defense. The Tunis Court of First Instance and the public prosecutorclaimed"A genuine threat" and attempted to conduct some trials via video conference. The majority of the arrested defendants declined to participate through video.
The defense committee stated that judicial authorities also intend to carry out the appeal through videoconference. The use of remote hearings is fundamentally unjust, as it infringes on the right of detainees to be physically present before a judge who can evaluate the legality and conditions of their detention along with their health. International human rights law, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, affirms that every individual has the right to be present during their trial.
Twelve individuals are currently in custody. Some are still free in Tunisia, while others residing abroad have received convictions in their absence. Numerous people who were found guilty were first arrested in February 2023 and kept in harsh pretrial detention for over two years, far exceeding the 14-month limit set by Tunisian law. Most of them appeared before an investigative judge only once during this period.
The government has responded by targeting defense attorneys involved in the case, which has further weakened the defendants' right to fair treatment, according to Human Rights Watch. On April 21, Ahmed Souad, a lawyer representing some of the defendants, wasarrestedand faced charges of terrorism and "spreading false information" under counterterrorism and cybercrime laws for questioning the judiciary's independence after the trial. His trial took place without his presence, lastingjust minutes, and the judge made a decision without listening to his lawyers' arguments. On October 31, he wassentencedbetween five years in prison and three years of administrative oversight.
Msaddek is set to appearbefore a Tunisian court on November 25 for having given a radio interview in 2023 defending her clients. She isaccusedregarding the dissemination of "misleading information" and handling of personal data under cybercrime and personal data protection regulations.
In April, Ayachi Hammami, who had previously served as a defense attorney in the case, was added as a defendant and received an eight-year prison sentence.
After President Saied seized control of Tunisia's state institutions on July 25, 2021, the government has significantly increased its suppression of opposition.
Starting in early 2023, they have increased arbitrary arrests and detention of individuals from all political backgrounds who are seen as opposing the government. The authorities' ongoing assaults on the judiciary, such as Saied's dissolution of the High Judicial Council, have significantly weakened its autonomy and put Tunisians' right to a fair trial at risk.
Tunisia is a member of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights, which ensure the right to freedom of speech and assembly, the right to a fair trial, and protection from arbitrary arrest or detention.
International partners of Tunisia should voice their opposition to this clear injustice and violation of the rule of law," Khawaja stated. "They should encourage Tunisian authorities to stop their repression, annul these convictions, and ensure just trials.
Copyright 2025 Human Rights Watch. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (okay1)
Tagged: Tunisia, NGOs and Civil Society, Human Rights, North Africa
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