A mass trial of about 40 opposition figures began in Tunisia, drawing criticism as politically motivated. Defendants could face severe penalties for charges related to state security. Human rights organizations and the UN have condemned the trial, while President Saïed’s government disputes these claims, affirming its authority. The trial exemplifies concerns regarding Saïed’s increasingly authoritarian control over the judiciary.
On Tuesday, a significant mass trial commenced in Tunisia, involving approximately 40 notable opposition figures, including diplomats, politicians, lawyers, and journalists who have expressed criticism toward President Kaïs Saïed. This trial is viewed by many, including family members and rights organizations, as politically motivated, with defendants potentially facing severe penalties, including the death penalty, for alleged crimes such as “plotting against state security” and “belonging to a terrorist group.”
Human Rights Watch has condemned the trial as a “mockery of a trial” based on what they describe as “abusive charges.” Furthermore, the United Nations has urged Tunisian authorities to cease all forms of political persecution. In response, Tunisia’s foreign ministry expressed surprise at the UN’s comments, labeling them as inaccurate and asserting that Tunisia can provide lessons in governance to those making statements against it.
Critics of President Saïed see this trial as a manifestation of his authoritarian grip on the judiciary since he dissolved the parliament in 2021 and began ruling by decree. Since his election six years ago, the former law professor has significantly altered the constitution to consolidate his power. During the trial, attorneys representing the defendants raised concerns about being denied access to the complete case files, with lawyer Abdelaziz Essid urging the judges to “put an end to this madness and absurdity.”
Among those facing trial are prominent figures, including Nadia Akacha, the former chief of staff, Abdelhamid Jelassi, ex-leader of the Ennahda opposition party, and Jaouhar Ben Mbarek, a vocal critic of Saïed’s consolidation of power in 2021. Some defendants, including Akacha, are being tried in absentia after fleeing the country, while others have been detained since their arrests two years ago, with Saïed categorizing them as “terrorists.”
The head of the Tunisian League for the Defence of Human Rights, Bassam Trifi, remarked that this trial represents “one of the darkest injustices in Tunisia’s history.” Activists in Tunisia have voiced their outrage, staging demonstrations outside the courthouse in Tunis and displaying banners with slogans such as “No to remote trials, No to a judiciary that does not guarantee rights, freedom for political detainees.”
The initiation of the mass trial of nearly 40 opposition figures in Tunisia has drawn significant criticism and raised concerns about political motivations behind the proceedings. Notable human rights organizations and the United Nations have condemned the trial as unjust and suggestive of an ongoing crackdown on dissent under President Saïed’s regime. The situation reflects the broader context of authoritarian governance and human rights issues in Tunisia, prompting widespread public outcry and protests.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
