Tunisia’s top court upholds conviction of opposition figures, activists

What the report says

Tunisia’s Court of Cassation has upheld the convictions of dozens of opposition figures and activists in a major case that has drawn criticism from rights advocates and lawyers. The decision, reported by Al Jazeera on 3 September 2026, leaves in place prison sentences of up to 45 years for people accused of conspiring to overthrow President Kais Saied.

The ruling ends three years of proceedings involving 40 defendants, including party leaders, lawyers, business figures and human rights defenders. Al Jazeera reported that about half of those convicted were tried in absentia after leaving the country. Among the best-known names are National Salvation Front leader Najib Chebbi, opposition politicians Ghazi Chaouachi, Issam Chebbi, Jawhar Ben Mbarek and Ridha Belhaj, and politician Noureddine Bhiri. Their sentences ranged from 10 to 20 years, while Chebbi received 12 years.

Critics say the case reflects broader concerns about judicial independence in Tunisia since Saied concentrated power after his 2019 election. Al Jazeera noted that the president has ruled largely by decree, dissolved the Supreme Judicial Council and dismissed judges. Lawyers and relatives of the defendants argued that the process was politically motivated and that they were given little notice before Thursday’s hearing. The government has denied political persecution and says the accused sought to destabilize the country.

The case is being watched closely because it highlights Tunisia’s democratic decline and the growing use of the courts in disputes over political opposition.