Human Rights Watch criticizes the trial of a former prime minister for funding the opposition

The Tunisian Observatory for Human Rights on Monday criticized the prosecutor general's referral of a former head of government to trial in the Tunisian capital on charges of providing financial support to opposition parties. This reference is without official announcements detailing the physical facts attributed to the former officer in this case file.

The human rights watchdog explained that this trial is part of an ongoing series of prosecutions targeting prominent political figures in the country. The Observatory pointed to the recent rise of opposition lawsuits, calling the judicial process a new round in narrowing political activity and party leadership.

The judicial and official bodies have so far provided no further details about the exact charges and physical facts attributed to the matter. The prosecutions in similar files are based on the Criminal Journal and provisions of the Anti-Terrorism and Money Laundering Prevention Act of 2015.

The political arena lives on the signing of a security and judicial prosecution campaign launched since February 2023 that has involved dozens of political, legal and business figures. These follow-ups in cases involving state security and financing have resulted in varying sentences ranging from several years to decades of imprisonment for former officials and opposition figures.

The next judicial step is to appoint the competent court as a date for the first trial sessions to begin with the former prime minister's subpoena and hear the defence team's pleas from him.