A Tunisian court has sentenced former Justice Minister Noureddine Bhiri to 20 years in prison over allegations involving the issuance of passports and citizenship documents to foreign nationals allegedly linked to terrorism-related cases.
According to Tunisian state media reports, the case centres on claims that fraudulent documents were issued during Bhiri’s tenure as justice minister in 2012. Bhiri and his legal team have strongly denied the allegations, insisting the prosecution is politically motivated.
The verdict adds to Bhiri’s existing legal troubles. He is already serving a separate 43-year prison sentence handed down last year in a case involving accusations of “conspiracy against state security.”
Bhiri is a senior figure in the opposition Ennahda Movement, which has been among the most prominent political groups affected by a wave of prosecutions targeting opposition leaders in Tunisia.
The latest ruling comes amid increasing criticism from international human rights organisations, which have raised concerns over what they describe as an escalating crackdown on dissent under President Kais Saied.
Since Saied dissolved parliament and expanded presidential powers in 2021, dozens of politicians, journalists, lawyers and activists have been arrested or prosecuted in cases widely viewed by critics as politically driven.
Tunisia, once regarded as the most successful democratic transition of the Arab Spring, has in recent years faced growing concerns about judicial independence and shrinking civic freedoms.
Opposition figures argue that the courts are being used to silence dissent, while the government maintains that prosecutions are based on law enforcement actions and national security concerns.
The sentencing of Bhiri is expected to further intensify political tensions in the country as opposition groups continue to challenge the government’s tightening control over public life.
