A Tunisian court has sentenced prominent opposition figure Abir Moussi to 12 years in prison, sparking concerns over President Kais Saied’s one-man rule.
Moussi, leader of the Free Constitutional Party, was arrested in 2023 on suspicion of assault intended to cause chaos, charges she denies, saying she was exercising her right to criticize and oppose the government.
Her lawyer, Nafaa Laribi, called the ruling “unjust” and “politically motivated”.
Moussi is one of dozens of politicians currently behind bars amid growing criticism that Saied is escalating a crackdown on his critics, including journalists, activists, and opposition leaders.
Saied denies using the judiciary against opponents, claiming to be cleansing Tunisia of “traitors”.
