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🇵🇾 Paraguay /Elections & Politics

EU questions fairness of trial that convicted Tunisian opposition figures

From ABC Color · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

Newswire Official statement In the courts
  • The EU questioned whether Tunisia’s trial of more than 40 opposition figures fully respected fair-trial guarantees after the Court of Cassation upheld sentences of five to 45 years.
  • The bloc criticized the use of contacts with accredited diplomats, including Europeans, as grounds for charges or evidence.
  • The case followed a 2023 opposition meeting and comes amid broader allegations of pressure on dissent and declining freedoms under President Kais Saied.

The European Union has expressed “doubts and concern” about the fairness of Tunisia’s trial of more than 40 opposition figures, after the Court of Cassation upheld prison sentences ranging from five to 45 years.

A spokesperson for the European External Action Service said doubts remained about “full respect for the guarantees of a fair trial.” The EU also repeated its call for respect for human rights, freedom of expression and due process.

Doubts persist about full respect for the guarantees of a fair trial.

· Spokesperson for the European External Action ServiceThe spokesperson described the EU’s concern after Tunisia’s Court of Cassation upheld the convictions.

The bloc said it regretted that contacts with accredited diplomats in Tunisia, including European diplomats, had been used as a reason for charges or as evidence. It reaffirmed its partnership with Tunisia and said it would continue supporting the Tunisian people as they work to strengthen democratic institutions and promote human rights.

At the same time, the EU called on Tunisian authorities to “restore the conditions necessary for pluralism and independent voices to contribute to the country’s development.”

The EU regrets that contacts with diplomats accredited in Tunisia, including European diplomats, have been used as grounds for charges or as evidence.

· Spokesperson for the European External Action ServiceThe statement criticized how diplomatic contacts were treated in the case.

The case, known as the conspiracy against state security trial, involves politicians, activists, human rights defenders and journalists, including citizens of EU member states. The investigation began in 2023 after a meal at an activist’s home brought together prominent figures seeking to unite the opposition against what they viewed as Tunisia’s political drift after President Kais Saied concentrated power in July 2021.

Arrest warrants were issued in February 2023 for people who attended the gathering. More than 40 people were eventually drawn into the investigation, and some fled Tunisia before being tried in absentia. Defense lawyers called the proceedings fabricated, saying the meeting produced a roadmap for national dialogue rather than a plan to overthrow the government. Since Saied assumed sweeping powers and reformed the political system and constitution, critics have reported the alleged instrumentalization of justice, repression of dissent and setbacks for civil liberties.

Restore the conditions necessary for pluralism and independent voices to contribute to the country’s development.

· European UnionThe bloc called on Tunisian authorities to reopen space for political pluralism and independent voices.
About this summary

Originally published by ABC Color in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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