Women Journalists Without Chains (WJWC) expresses its profound alarm at the 34-year prison sentence handed down in absentia on May 2, 2025, against former Tunisian Prime Minister and Ennahda Movement Vice President Ali Laarayedh.

The sentence, issued by the Criminal Chamber for Terrorism Cases at the Tunis Court of First Instance in the so-called “deportation to hotspots” case, reflects an alarming deterioration in the rule of law and the weaponization of the judiciary to silence political dissent.

This conviction was rendered without affording the defendant a fair trial or the opportunity to mount a full legal defense—an egregious violation of the right to a fair hearing as guaranteed by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. The absence of a clear legal basis, coupled with a lack of documented evidence linking Laarayedh to the charges, further underscores the arbitrary and politically motivated nature of the proceedings.

During his tenure as Minister of Interior and later as Prime Minister, Laarayedh was in fact the first official to classify Ansar al-Sharia as a terrorist organization and implemented formal measures to restrict travel to conflict zones. Yet, the prosecution failed to present official data, evidence of procedural accountability, or credible proof of Laarayedh’s direct responsibility in facilitating travel to Syria—raising serious questions about the legitimacy of the charges.

This case is part of a wider campaign of repression against opposition figures in Tunisia. On April 19, 2025, Tunisian courts issued sentences ranging from 13 to 66 years in the “Conspiracy Against State Security” case, targeting at least 37 political figures—including Kamal Latif, Khayam Turki, Noureddine Bhiri, Reda Belhaj, Ghazi Chaouachi, Issam Chebbi, Abdelmajid Zar, Ahmed Najib Chebbi, Chaima Issa, and Jawhar Ben Mubarak. These trials have been marked by the systematic denial of due process: defendants were absent, court sessions were closed to journalists and observers, and defense teams were barred from contesting secret evidence. Such practices amount to a fundamental breach of judicial norms and procedural safeguards.

WJWC views these rulings—whether in the “Deportation Case” or the “Conspiracy Case”—as part of a broader pattern of political persecution enabled by the erosion of judicial independence since the exceptional measures initiated by President Kais Saied on July 25, 2021. These include the dissolution of parliament, the dismantling of oversight institutions, the dismissal of judges, and the issuance of unilateral decrees. Together, these actions have paved the way for the judiciary to be used as a tool for eliminating dissent and dismantling democratic safeguards.

The current wave of politically-motivated trials, alongside the persecution of journalists, civil society actors, and peaceful critics, poses an existential threat to Tunisia’s fragile democracy. It signals a return to authoritarian rule, undermining the gains of the 2011 revolution and stripping citizens of their basic rights to justice, transparency, and democratic participation.

In light of these grave concerns, Women Journalists Without Chains calls for:

·         The immediate annulment of the sentence against Ali Laarayedh and the guarantee of a retrial in full compliance with international fair trial standards.

·         The unconditional release of all political prisoners detained in cases marked by procedural violations and political interference.

·         The establishment of an independent investigation into the judicial irregularities and human rights violations accompanying recent trials.

·         Concrete measures to restore judicial independence and safeguard the judiciary from political manipulation.

WJWC further urges the United Nations, the European Union, and all relevant international and regional human rights bodies to take urgent and coordinated action to halt Tunisia’s descent into authoritarianism. Continued silence or inaction risks legitimizing grave abuses and emboldening further repression.

As an organization committed to defending human rights, press freedom, and the protection of women journalists, Women Journalists Without Chains will continue to expose political persecution, advocate for justice, and work in solidarity with partners around the world to uphold the principles of freedom, accountability, and democratic governance in Tunisia.