Tunisian court sentences opposition figure Moussi to 12 years in prison


President of Tunisia's Free Destourian Party Abir Moussi speaks to the media during a protest demanding the dissolution of parliament and asking for early legislative elections, in Tunis, Tunisia November 20, 2021. REUTERS/Zoubeir Souissi

TUNIS, Dec 12 (Reuters) - A Tunisian court on Friday sentenced prominent opposition figure Abir Moussi to 12 years in prison, her lawyer told Reuters, in what rights groups say is a new step towards entrenching President Kais Saied's one-man rule and using the judiciary to crush his critics.

"The ruling is unjust and is not a judicial decision but a politically motivated order," Moussi's lawyer Nafaa Laribi told Reuters.

Moussi, leader of the Free Constitutional Party, has been imprisoned since 2023 after police arrested her at the presidential palace entrance on suspicion of assault intended to cause chaos, in what critics say was part of a crackdown on opposition politicians.

(Reporting By Tarek Amara; Editing by Hugh Lawson)

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!

Next In World

Ex-Chihuahua attorney general accused of treason for allowing US participation in drug raid
Saudi-led coalition says helicopter crash in Najran kills two crew members
Deaths confirmed after 'serious incident,' fire at Canada military base in Alberta
Two killed, including 6-year-old, when truck drives through Kansas youth soccer game, police say
Rubio says Trump to take up to 60 days to weigh Russia sanctions
Roundup: Firefighters battle multiple wildfires in Southern California under red flag warnings
Saudi Arabia extends remote learning in Riyadh through Oct. 22
1st LD: 17 killed, 35 injured in stampede in eastern India
Around 550,000 people take part in protests across France, about 400 arrested: minister
Tens of thousands march in Lisbon over housing and living costs

Others Also Read