A Tunisian court has handed a 12-year prison sentence to well-known opposition politician Abir Moussi, as authorities intensify their crackdown on critics of President Kais Saied.
Moussi, who leads the Free Constitutional Party, has been detained since her arrest in 2023 outside the presidential palace. She was accused of assault with the intent to cause unrest. The opposition leader has denied all allegations, insisting she was only exercising her right to speak out against the government. She has vowed to continue resisting what she described as “abuse, torture, and political and moral violence.”
This ruling marks the third case brought against her.In August last year, Moussi was sentenced to two years in prison under Decree 54, a law introduced by Saied in 2022 to combat what authorities describe as “false news.” That sentence was later reduced following an appeal.
A separate appeals process is still ongoing over another prison term imposed under the same legislation.
Her legal representative condemned the latest verdict, calling it “unjust” and arguing that it was “not a judicial decision, but a politically motivated order.”
Moussi is among dozens of high-profile figures currently imprisoned as President Saied expands his campaign against journalists, activists, civil society organisations, and opposition leaders.
Just last month, an appeals court issued sentences of up to 45 years in prison to several opposition politicians, business leaders, and lawyers accused of plotting to overthrow the president.
Human rights organisations and government critics say Saied has undermined judicial independence since dissolving the elected parliament in 2021 and moving to govern by decree.
The president has rejected claims that he is ruling as a dictator or using the courts to silence dissent, maintaining that he is purging Tunisia of what he calls “traitors.”
