A court in Tunisia has sentenced prominent anti-racism activist, Saadia Mosbah to eight years in prison on financial misconduct charges, in a ruling her lawyer described as “shocking” and politically motivated.
Mosbah, 66, heads the Mnemty association and has been in detention for nearly two years. She gained national and international attention for defending sub-Saharan migrants following a controversial 2023 speech by President Kais Saied, who described irregular migration as a demographic threat.
She was arrested in May 2024 on charges of money laundering and illicit enrichment, alongside other members of her organisation. All denied wrongdoing during Thursday’s hearing.
Mosbah’s lawyer, Ben Salem, criticised the verdict and announced plans to appeal.“It’s a shocking ruling that has nothing to do with the case,” he said. “It sends a clear message: under the current regime, civil society work is suspicious.
The court also sentenced Mosbah’s son to three years in prison, while another activist received a two-year sentence.
The case is seen by observers as part of a broader crackdown on civil society and dissent in Tunisia, raising fresh concerns about human rights and political freedoms in the country.
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