Ahmed Nejib Chebbi, a major figure in Tunisia’s political opposition for decades, was arrested at his home on Thursday, December 4.
The arrest follows the upholding of his conviction in a high-profile case involving alleged “conspiracy against state security.” Chebbi, 81, a co-founder and chairman of the National Salvation Front (FSN), Tunisia’s main opposition coalition, had his initial 18-year sentence reduced to 12 years in prison on appeal on November 28. His daughter, lawyer Haifa Chebbi, confirmed the arrest to the press.
The arrest of Chebbi is the latest development in a mass trial targeting opposition members. Two other prominent opposition figures involved in the same case—lawyer Ayachi Hammami and activist Chaima Issa—were previously sentenced to five and twenty years in prison, respectively.
Chebbi, who had appeared in court as a free man, is one of the country’s most prominent left-wing activists. He briefly served as a minister after the 2011 uprising that overthrew Zine El-Abidine Ben Ali and later served in the National Constituent Assembly during the early democratic transition period.
In a video recorded shortly before his arrest, Chebbi maintained his innocence and expressed defiance, declaring: “I am going to prison at this advanced age with a clear and pure conscience because I have committed no wrongdoing.”
AK/Sf/fss/abj/APA with AFP