Arabic version: حكم قضائي تونسي يثير إدانة من العفو الدولية

According to Allafrica, Tunisia’s Court of Cassation upheld convictions and lengthy prison sentences against 34 defendants in a politically motivated “conspiracy case,” prompting condemnation from Amnesty International.

Yasmine Ahmed, Amnesty International’s Senior Director for Regional Human Rights Impact, described the ruling as “a devastating blow to justice” and “an appalling indictment of the Tunisian justice system.” She said sentences in the case ranged up to 45 years and followed what Amnesty called a sham trial based on unfounded charges.

Amnesty said the proceedings were compromised by serious due-process violations, including requiring defendants to attend hearings remotely and denying them the right to be present at their own trial. The organization said the Court of Cassation had a final opportunity to correct the alleged injustice.

Those imprisoned include human rights lawyer Ayachi Hammami, opposition figure Ahmed Nejib Chebbi and political activist Chaima Issa, Amnesty said. The organization called on Tunisian authorities to quash the convictions, drop all charges and unconditionally release people detained solely for exercising their human rights.

The case concerns prominent opposition figures, lawyers and human rights defenders prosecuted mainly on charges of “conspiracy against state security.” Amnesty said international observers had widely condemned the trial over fair-trial violations, executive interference and the denial of basic defense rights.