A Tunisian court has issued prison sentences ranging from 13 to 66 years against several prominent opposition figures, businessmen, and lawyers, on charges of conspiracy against state security and forming a terrorist alliance.

The case includes around 40 high-profile individuals, such as Republican Party leader Issam Chebbi, former Democratic Current Secretary-General Ghazi Chaouachi, constitutional law professor Jawher Ben Mbarek, former Ennahda official Abdelhamid Jelassi, and businessman Kamal Latif.

The defendants were arrested in 2023 during a wide crackdown led by the authorities, accused of plotting a coup against President Kais Saied, collaborating with foreign entities, planning terrorist attacks, and committing financial corruption.

Defense lawyers have rejected the verdict, calling the trial a “judicial farce,” citing procedural violations, including the absence of defendants from interrogation and remote hearings.