The long-awaited verdict in Tunisia’s “Plot Against State Security 2” case was expected to be delivered on Tuesday, July 8.
However, the judiciary once again postponed the ruling without providing an official explanation—a move that is fueling growing concerns over the politicization of the justice system in a tense climate ahead of the November municipal elections.
Doubts are mounting over the independence of Tunisia’s judiciary following this latest delay in the so-called “Plot 2” case, which involves 21 defendants—including opposition figures, lawyers, trade unionists, and journalists—accused of attempting to destabilise state institutions.
The charges, which carry a possible life sentence, are based on allegations of conspiracy against national security.
Defense attorneys have condemned the postponement as a “wearing-down tactic” designed to exert sustained pressure on political opponents.
“This trial has nothing to do with justice anymore. It’s a political weapon used to silence dissenting voices,” said defense lawyer Rania Hammami at a press conference.
She denounced serious violations of the defendants’ rights, including illegal wiretaps and inhumane detention conditions.
Several human rights organisations—including the Tunisian League for Human Rights (LTDH), Amnesty International, and Human Rights Watch—have expressed deep concern over the trial’s lack of transparency, the obstacles faced by defense lawyers, and the absence of basic procedural safeguards.
In a joint statement, they urged the Tunisian authorities to comply with international standards for fair trials.
The European Union has also weighed in, calling on Tunisia to uphold its democratic commitments and reminding officials that “the separation of powers is a cornerstone of the rule of law.”
Despite mounting criticism, President Kaïs Saïed has maintained a firm stance. For months, he has accused “conspirators” of seeking to destabilise the country and has defended the arrests as part of a broader effort to “purify the state.” He continues to assert that the judiciary remains independent.
As the municipal elections draw near, analysts suggest that the trial is being used to suppress organised opposition by fostering an atmosphere of fear. While some segments of the population support the president’s security-driven rhetoric, others—particularly students and intellectuals—fear an authoritarian drift.
The ongoing uncertainty surrounding the verdict, coupled with restrictions on foreign media access to court proceedings, has only deepened public mistrust. The “Plot 2” case is increasingly seen as a symbol of eroding civil liberties and Tunisia’s slide toward a hollowed-out democracy.
MK/te/sf/lb/as/APA