TUNIS, (TDI): Tunisian Opposition Leader Sentenced as part of a controversial trial that critics argue is politically motivated, stemming from an alleged incitement via Facebook.
A court in Tunisia has sentenced prominent opposition leader Noureddine Bhiri of the Ennahda party to ten years in prison on charges of assaulting state security and inciting discord among citizens, confirmed his his lawyer.
Bhiri’s attorney, Monia Bouali, stated that the trial was marred by significant violations, including a social media post attributed to Bhiri that technical tests later proved was fabricated.
Bhiri has been in custody for approximately 18 months, alongside several rival leaders of the incumbent President Kais Saied.
According to local media reports, the President Saied has tightened his grip on power and has ruled by decree, actions the opposition has described as a coup.
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Tunisian security forces arrested Bhiri, a former Justice Minister, on February 23, 2023, without a warrant, charging him with attempting to overthrow the government through a Facebook post, which he denies ever posting.
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Bhiri had previously experienced arbitrary persecution and detention by Tunisian prosecutors in 2021. On December 13, 2021, he and Fathi Beldi, a former Interior Ministry employee, were violently arrested by authorities.
They were held in undisclosed locations for two days before being placed under house arrest until March 7, 2022. Tunisian authorities did not file any formal charges against either of them.
