Tunisia escalates political clampdown with second mass trial of opposition figures

In a move widely interpreted as a deepening of Tunisia’s authoritarian drift,the state has opened on Tuesday May 6 a second sweeping trial against 22 opposition figures,accusing them of conspiring against national security.

The new trial comes weeks after a separate mass trial jailed nearly 40 people.

The proceedings,dubbed Conspiracy Against State Security II,include high-profile defendants such as Rached Ghannouchi—the octogenarian former Speaker of Parliament and leader of the Ennahdha party—who is already serving a 22-year sentence from a separate conviction. Among others named are ex-Prime minister Youssef Chahed and former presidential chief of staff Nadia Akacha,many of whom are being tried in absentia after fleeing the country.

The charges span terrorism,incitement to murder,and the alleged orchestration of a clandestine security network. Critics argue the case is emblematic of President Kais Saied’s growing crackdown on dissent since his 2021 consolidation of power,which effectively dismantled Tunisia’s post-revolution democratic structures. While the courtroom was largely virtual—with only four defendants appearing remotely—lawyers and observers described the trial as a continuation of politically motivated persecution aimed at silencing voices critical of the regime.

International condemnation has grown louder following the first trial last month,which led to nearly 40 convictions and prompted the United Nations to raise alarms over due process violations. Nonetheless,President Saied remains defiant,dismissing external criticism as unwarranted meddling in domestic affairs. Tunisia,once hailed as the lone democratic success story to emerge from the Arab Spring,now teeters on the edge of authoritarian relapse,as opposition leaders,civil society actors,and global institutions call for an end to what they describe as orchestrated “show trials” targeting political dissent.