A highly controversial trial involving 40 opposition figures including politicians, lawyers, journalists, and business leaders accused of endangering state security—began in Tunisia on Tuesday.

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However, proceedings at the Tunis Primary Court were overshadowed by concerns about fairness, as nine detained defendants were required to attend remotely. The court’s decision to exclude them physically drew backlash from defense lawyers and activists, who claimed it violated their right to a just trial.

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Only those granted bail were allowed to appear in person, while supporters and families of the detained gathered outside the courthouse, demanding full transparency.

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The scene was tense, with heavy security deployed to control the large crowd. Inside, a courtroom filled with legal professionals, politicians, and journalists observed the unfolding case. Protesters outside chanted, accusing the government of using the judiciary as a political weapon.

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Lamia Farhani, a defense lawyer representing some of the accused, called out what she described as the government’s blatant disregard for legal principles.

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She pointed to the irony of a president with a constitutional law background leading a government that, in her words, “The greatest irony is that at the helm of power sits a president, a constitutional law expert, who casually violates the very laws he swore to uphold. This hypocrisy will ultimately vindicate the detainees.”

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She argued that the unfair process would ultimately prove the innocence of the detainees.

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Public opinion on the trial remains divided. Many see it as an attempt to silence critics of President Kais Saied’s administration. Protesters like Ahlem, who spoke to the Associated Press, insisted that the accused were being unjustly targeted.

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She condemned what she called a "mock trial," asserting that the detainees were arrested outside proper legal procedures and should be allowed to face their judges in person.

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Yet, some Tunisians support the government’s crackdown. Among them is Mohamed, a fish vendor in Tunis, who blamed the accused for the country’s economic struggles.

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Expressing frustration over rising inflation and worsening living conditions, he argued that those on trial were responsible for the hardships ordinary citizens faced.

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“I hope they get life sentences. They ruined us. Twenty dinars used to fill our baskets; now 100 dinars aren’t enough. Half the nation is jobless. They lied, stole, and fled.”

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The trial has also drawn international scrutiny. Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have condemned the mass prosecution as an attempt to crush dissent.

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Critics link it to broader repressive measures enacted since President Saied’s 2021 decision to dissolve parliament and rule by decree.

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Meanwhile, Tunisia’s economic woes continue to deepen. Inflation has surged, and access to basic necessities has become increasingly difficult for many citizens. The government has sought financial assistance from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), but negotiations remain stalled due to concerns about political stability and necessary economic reforms.

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Observers warn that the trial’s outcome could significantly impact Tunisia’s democratic future. Once celebrated as the Arab Spring’s lone success story, the country has experienced a gradual erosion of political freedoms in recent years. The UN’s human rights office has urged the government to halt prosecutions of political opponents and protect fundamental freedoms, while local civil rights groups warn that the trial’s lack of transparency could accelerate Tunisia’s democratic decline.

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As the court proceedings continue over the coming weeks, tensions are expected to persist. The decision to exclude detained defendants from appearing in person has cast doubts on the trial’s credibility, leading many to question whether justice is truly being served. Despite the uncertainty, opposition figures and activists remain resolute, vowing to continue their fight for the detainees’ release while mobilizing more protests against what they see as a politically motivated crackdown.

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