A Tunisian court has sentenced human rights activist Saadia Mosbah to eight years in prison and fined her £26,000 ($35,000), AFP and Reuters report.
Mosbah, 66, leads the anti-racism group Mnèmty and was charged with money laundering and illicit enrichment following her arrest in May 2024.
She has been a prominent advocate for sub-Saharan migrants in Tunisia, particularly after a 2023 speech by President Kais Saied, who referred to “hordes of illegal migrants” as a demographic threat. Since dissolving parliament in 2021, President Saied’s administration has faced criticism for eroding civil liberties and restricting the work of opposition figures and rights groups.
“The verdict is a major shock, and it is part of a broader effort to dismantle civil society groups and shift responsibility for the state’s failure to address the migrant issue onto these groups,” said Mosbah’s lawyer, Hela Ben Salem.
Authorities previously suspended leading civil society organisations, including the Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights and the Association of Democratic Women, citing financial audits linked to foreign funding.
During Thursday’s hearing, Mosbah and other activists maintained their innocence. Her son was sentenced to three years in prison, while another campaigner received a two-year term.
Ahead of the verdict, the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders and the World Organisation Against Torture called for Mosbah’s immediate release, citing her age, health concerns, and the broader pattern of civil society repression in Tunisia.
The case comes as Tunisia faces increased pressure from rising migration flows, serving as a transit point for Africans seeking to reach Europe. In response, authorities have intensified security, introduced tougher laws targeting irregular migration networks, and deported thousands of migrants. Rights groups warn that the crackdown may further limit humanitarian efforts and shrink the space for independent advocacy.
