An emergency Tunisian court has sentenced the main opposition figure and president of the Free Destourian Party, Abir Moussi, to 12 years jail time so far. This decision is a test for Tunisia’s political maturity. This court ruling is an extension of the Saied regime’s wider campaign to suppress opposition to the President’s so-called “exceptional regime.” Moussi has remained in jail since her arrest on April 8, 2023. She was arrested on the steps of the Florentine Palace presidential palace accused of attacking a particular person to cause disorder.
The court’s ruling comes after a long trail of misconduct by Moussi. Previously, she was sentenced to two years in prison under Decree 54. In fact, President Saied implemented this decree in 2022 under the pretext of fighting “false news.” Moussi’s full sentence was cut down to size upon appeal. Since finishing that sentence last June, she has remained in jail.
For Moussi, Saied’s long-time foe, her history of antagonism toward the president has made her an object of the regime’s ire. Since she assumed leadership of Tunisia’s Free Destourian Party in 2016, she has eviscerated the president on a constant basis. She’s been the mastermind behind hundreds of protests against his government. Her party has quickly turned into a rallying point for Tunisians opposed to Saied’s deepening authoritarian crackdown.
Nafaa Laribi, Moussi’s lawyer, vehemently criticized the court’s ruling. He dubbed the move “not a judicial decision but a politically motivated order.” He underscored his conviction that Moussi’s jailing is the latest move in a widespread campaign to repress political dissent.
Moussi herself has a history of denouncing the treatment of political dissidents in Tunisia. She has described her experiences as involving “abuse, torture, and political and moral violence,” underscoring the harsh realities faced by those who challenge the current regime.
The impending sentencing of Abir Moussi is raising alarm bells for Tunisia’s nascent democracy and human rights record. Critics say the government’s use of the charges illustrates a deepening political repression. In this environment, dissent is met with harsh punishment. The international community is watching closely as these troubling developments continue. They are demanding an end to impunity with respect to human rights violations within the country.
