Tunisian Court Sentences Former Justice Minister Noureddine Bhiri to 20 Years in Prison

Former Tunisian Justice Minister Noureddine Bhiri has been sentenced to 20 years in prison over allegations involving fraudulent documents linked to terrorism-related cases. He denies the charges, which come amid broader concerns about political repression in Tunisia under President Kais Saied.

Former Tunisian Justice Minister and senior opposition figure Noureddine Bhiri has been sentenced to 20 years in prison by a Tunisian court over allegations connected to the issuance of passports and citizenship documents to foreign nationals allegedly wanted in terrorism-related cases.
According to Tunisian state media reports, the case centres on accusations that fraudulent identity and travel documents were granted during Bhiri’s tenure as Justice Minister in 2012. Authorities allege that the approvals facilitated the movement or legal status of individuals linked to terrorism investigations. Bhiri, who is a prominent member of the Islamist Ennahda movement, and his legal defence team have rejected all accusations, insisting that the charges are unfounded and politically driven.
The court ruling adds to Bhiri’s legal troubles, as he is already serving a separate 43-year prison sentence issued in another high-profile case involving “conspiracy against state security.” That case, like many others in recent years, has targeted opposition politicians and figures critical of the current government.
The latest conviction has further deepened political tensions in Tunisia, where concerns have been growing over the treatment of opposition voices and the direction of the country’s justice system. Human rights organisations and political observers have repeatedly warned that a wave of prosecutions against critics of the government reflects a wider pattern of shrinking political space.
The developments are taking place under the leadership of President Kais Saied, who has been in power since 2019. Since 2021, after dissolving parliament and consolidating executive authority, Saied has overseen sweeping political changes that critics say have significantly weakened democratic institutions in the country.
His actions included suspending the elected parliament, ruling by decree, and reshaping key state institutions. While supporters argue these measures were necessary to restore order and fight corruption, critics say they have led Tunisia away from its post-Arab Spring democratic path.
Since these changes, dozens of opposition figures, journalists, lawyers, activists, and political leaders have faced arrest, investigation, or prosecution. Several have received lengthy prison sentences, drawing widespread condemnation from international human rights groups.
Observers say the cumulative effect of these legal actions has created an atmosphere of political uncertainty and fear among opposition parties, particularly those aligned with Ennahda and other critical movements. Many see the judiciary as increasingly politicised, raising concerns about fair trials and due process.
Once widely celebrated as the only relative democratic success story of the Arab Spring, Tunisia is now facing renewed scrutiny from international partners and rights organisations. The growing number of high-profile convictions has sparked debates about civil liberties, freedom of expression, and the future of democratic governance in the country.
The sentencing of Bhiri is expected to further intensify both domestic and international criticism of Tunisia’s political trajectory, as opposition groups continue to accuse the government of using the judiciary to silence dissent.