Tunisian court set to rule in conspiracy trial, lawyers protest

By Tarek Amara

A Tunisian court is set to issue a ruling in the conspiracy case against prominent opponents, as lawyers protested and described the trial as a farce, while others called the proceedings a symbol of President Kais Saied's authoritarian rule.

Rights groups say the trial highlights Saied's full control over the judiciary since he dissolved the parliament in 2021 and began ruling by decree before later dissolving the independent Supreme Judicial Council.

Forty people, including high-profile politicians, businessmen and journalists, are being prosecuted in the case. More than 20 have fled abroad since being charged.

Some of the opposition defendants - including Ghazi Chaouachi, Issam Chebbi, Jawahar Ben Mbrak, Abdelhamid Jlassi, Ridha Belhaj and Khyam Turki - have been in custody since being detained in 2023.

Following the judge's decision to clear the courtroom in preparation for deliberation and the issuance of rulings, dozens of lawyers protested, raising slogans calling for freedom and justice.

"In my entire life, I have never witnessed a trial like this. It's a farce, the rulings are ready, and what is happening is scandalous and shameful," Lawyer Ahmed Souab told reporters.

Journalists and civil society groups were barred from attending the trial.

Some of the country's most prominent opposition politicians - including Nejib Chebbi, the leader of the main National Salvation Front opposition coalition - face a range of conspiracy charges in the trial that started in March and has been postponed twice.

"The authorities want to criminalize the opposition. I wouldn't be surprised if heavy sentences are issued tonight," Chebbi told reporters before going into the court.

Authorities say the defendants, who also include business people and former officials including the former head of intelligence, Kamel Guizani, tried to destabilize the country and overthrow Saied.

Activists and families of the defendants shouted "free the prisoners", "stop the farce" and other slogans.

"This authoritarian regime has nothing to offer Tunisians except more repression," the leader of the opposition Workers' Party, Hamma Hammami, said.