• Over 40 opposition figures sentenced to prison terms ranging from 13 to 66 years.
• Charges include conspiracy against state security and belonging to a terrorist group.
• The trial has been widely criticized as politically motivated and lacking in fairness.
• Defendants, including well-known political leaders, activists, and lawyers, have been detained since early 2023.
• Human Rights Watch and other organizations condemn the verdicts as a sign of Saied's authoritarian rule.

A Tunisian court has sentenced multiple opposition leaders, lawyers, and businessmen to prison terms ranging from 13 to 66 years on charges of conspiracy against state security. This mass trial involved approximately 40 defendants, including prominent figures who have openly criticized President Kais Saied, underscoring a significant crackdown on dissent in Tunisia. The charges and sentences have been described as politically motivated, reflecting the government's efforts to suppress opposition, according to Reuters.

The sentences, delivered in the early hours of Saturday, have been criticized by defense lawyers and rights groups who label the proceedings as a "masquerade" and lacking a semblance of fairness. Among the key figures sentenced were Issam Chebbi and Jawhar Ben Mbarek of the National Salvation Front coalition, both receiving 18-year terms, while businessman Kamel Eltaief received the harshest punishment of 66 years. Reports suggest the trial was riddled with procedural violations and accusations based on tenuous evidence,All Africa states.

Criticism escalated as defense lawyer Abdessatar Messaoudi emphasized plans for appeals, citing a trial bereft of due process. Rights advocates, including Bassam Khawaja of Human Rights Watch, echoed concerns regarding the political backdrop of the charges, emphasizing that such judicial actions are intended to secure President Saied's continued control over Tunisia following his consolidation of power since 2021,Le Monde reports.

Meanwhile, Human Rights Watch condemned the trial as a blatant misuse of the judiciary for political ends, maintaining that it is part of a broader strategy to undermine civil liberties in Tunisia. The organization called on international partners to pressure the Tunisian government to respect human rights as the oppressive climate continues to flourish,Al Jazeera explains.

As many of the convicted opposition figures have been in detention since early 2023, the political landscape in Tunisia remains precarious, with widespread protests occurring outside the courthouse during the trial. This scenario highlights the growing tension between the Saied administration and those opposing his governance,Africa News.