A Tunisian court has sentenced opposition leaders, businessmen and lawyers to 13 to 66 years in prison for plotting against state security, the Tunisian news agency TAP reported today.
The opposition said the charges were fabricated and that the case was an indication of the authoritarian nature of President Kais Saied's rule, BTA reports.
Human rights groups say President Saied has now established complete control over power since he dissolved parliament in 2021 and began ruling by decree. The head of state also dissolved Tunisia's Supreme Judicial Council in 2022.
TAP did not provide further details about the sentences handed down.
Reuters notes that there are 40 defendants in the case and that more than 20 of them fled abroad after being charged.
Tunisian authorities say the defendants tried to destabilize the state and overthrow President Saied.
Saied rejects accusations that he is acting like a dictator and says he is fighting chaos and corruption.