Sonia Dhamani, a lawyer and outspoken critic of President Kais Saied's policies regarding refugees, has been sentenced to two years in prison. Her trial, criticized by human rights advocates, has raised concerns over the government’s suppression of dissent following Saied's consolidation of power since 2021. Dhamani's case was conducted under Tunisia's controversial cybercrime law, Decree 54. The judiciary is seen as being used to silence critics, likening the current political climate to an 'open-air prison'. Saied maintains his actions are legal and aim to restore order after years of chaos.
The court sentenced Dhamani for statements criticising practices against refugees and migrants from sub-Saharan Africa. Lawyer Bassem Trifi said the verdict was a grave injustice.
What's happening is a farce. Sonia is being tried twice for the same statement, said lawyer Sami Ben Ghazi, another lawyer for Dhamani.
Human rights groups and activists say Saied has turned Tunisia into an open-air prison and is using the judiciary and police to target his political opponents.
Saied rejects these accusations, saying he will not be a dictator and seeks to hold everyone accountable equally, regardless of their position or name.
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