The defendant’s defense team in the so -called “conspiracy against state security” strongly criticized this Saturday, April 19, 2025, the heavy prison sentences pronounced by the Tunisian justice which vary between 13 and 66 years in prison, believing that the trial has not respected the minimum guarantees of a fair trial.
In a statement published after the announcement of the verdicts and reported by the TAP agency, the lawyers denounce an expeditious procedure: “The criminal chamber withdrew to deliberate and rendered its decision only 30 seconds after having rejected requests for adjournment and radiation of certain names, without hearing the accused present or the advocates of the lawyers,” they said.
During the night from Friday to Saturday, the terrorist business chamber of the Tunis court of first instance sentenced 40 people to sentences ranging from 13 to 66 years in prison. Among the accused are responsible for political leaders, former ministers, lawyers, businessmen and activists, prosecuted for serious accusation, in particular: conspiracy against internal and external security of the State, training and belonging to a terrorist organization, incentive to civil war, public order and food and environmental security.
The case, opened in February 2023, had led to a series of arrests of political figures of all stripes, including Issam Chebbi (Republican Party), Ghazi Chaouachi (former minister), Jawhar Ben Mbarek (activist), Abdelhamid Jelassi (former executive of Ennahdha), as well as Bochra Belhaj (ex-deputy), Chaima Issa (activist), Kamel Letaief (businessman) and the French philosopher Bernard-Henri Lévy.
The holding of distance hearings, decided by justice for reasons of “security”, was also denounced by the defense, which considers that this prevented the accused from defending themselves properly, in particular by questioning the witnesses and by responding to the serious charges that weigh against them.
Three hearings have been held since March 4, the last having taken place on Friday April 18. The Defense Committee now calls for a broad commitment to respect fundamental rights and a real fair trial, in order to “preserve the reputation of the country and the rule of law”.
