On Saturday, a court in Tunisia found opposition leader Jawher Ben Mbarek guilty of plotting against state security and sentenced him to six months in prison.
Mbarek’s sister and attorney confirmed the announcement of his sentence.
Mbarek is one of President Kais Saied’s harshest critics. He expressed disapproval of the 2022 parliamentary election, which led to his incarceration in 2023.
His attorney questioned the sentence, claiming Mbarek was not given the opportunity to present his own defense.
Mbarek, a lawyer by profession, started the “Citizens Against the Coup” movement in 2021 in response to President Saied’s attempt to seize power.
Saied, who was elected in October 2019 for a five-year term, effectively gained total authority when he suspended parliament in July 2021.
He justified his actions by arguing that they were required to combat corruption and break the political deadlock that was engulfing the country of North Africa at the time of the devastating coronavirus pandemic.
Since then, Saied has been increasingly dictatorial, imprisoning judges, businesspeople, opposition leaders, and campaigners.
(Africanews)
