TUNIS: In a controversial trial that critics deem politically motivated, Tunisian opposition leader Noureddine Bhiri of the Ennahda party has been sentenced to ten years in prison.
His conviction on charges of assaulting state security and inciting discord has drawn criticism as politically motivated, particularly regarding an alleged incitement through a Facebook post.
Bhiri’s lawyer, Monia Bouali, highlighted serious irregularities during the trial, including the claim that the Facebook post attributed to Bhiri was later proven to be fabricated through technical tests.
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Bhiri has been in custody for about 18 months, along with several other opposition leaders who oppose President Kais Saied, who has been accused of consolidating power and ruling by decree, actions the opposition deems a coup.
Bhiri was arrested by Tunisian security forces on February 23, 2023, without a warrant, on allegations of attempting to overthrow the government via a Facebook post, which he insists he never made.
His history of persecution includes arbitrary detention in 2021, when he and former Interior Ministry employee Fathi Beldi were violently arrested, held in undisclosed locations for two days, and later placed under house arrest until March 2022, without any formal charges being filed against them.
