The Criminal Chamber at the Tunis Court of Appeal has decided to postpone the examination of the so-called “Instalingo” case, at the request of the defense. A heavy case, involving 41 defendants and marked by severe sentences at first instance.
The Criminal Chamber at the Tunis Court of Appeal has postponed the examination of the “Instalingo” case until January 9. The dismissal was granted following a request made by defense lawyers, reports Mosaique fm.
Heavy sentences at first instance
On February 5, 2025, the second criminal chamber of the Tunis Court of First Instance delivered its verdict in this case, handing down prison sentences ranging from five to fifty-four years, accompanied by fines and confiscation of property, against 41 defendants.
Among the main accused are Hichem Mechichi, former head of government, sentenced in absentia to 34 years in prison and a fine of 80,000 dinars; Rached Ghannouchi, former president of Ennahdha and Parliament, sentenced to 22 years in prison and a fine of 80,000 dinars; Rafik Bouchlaka, former Minister of Foreign Affairs, who received 34 years in prison (convicted in absentia), etc.
The prosecutions include accusations of conspiracy against state security, attempted regime change and dissemination of defamatory information targeting the President of the Republic.
Origin and legal course of the case
The case concerns the company Instalingo, based in El Kantaoui, in the governorate of Sousse, specializing in content creation and digital communication. Its premises were searched in September 2021, amid suspicions linked to attacks on state security, money laundering and the exploitation of social networks for defamation purposes.
Initially investigated by the Sousse Court of First Instance, the case was then transferred to the Judicial Center for the Fight against Terrorism.
