Abir Moussi, considered one of the most important and famous Tunisian politicians and activist, has been sentenced to jail for criticising the country’s legislative process, according to reports. 

A Tunisian court has sentenced opposition politician Abir Moussi to two years in prison following her vocal criticism of the country’s electoral process. Moussi, leader of the Free Destourian Party and a prominent opponent of President Kais Saied, was convicted on charges including attempting to alter the structure of government, inciting violence, and disrupting public order.

Moussi’s sentencing on Thursday marks a new chapter in what rights groups are calling an escalating campaign to silence dissent in Tunisia. She has been held in detention since 2023, after trying to submit an appeal challenging presidential decrees ahead of local elections.

The move is widely perceived as part of a broader authoritarian shift under President Saied, whose administration has been accused of targeting opposition figures, civil society actors, and journalists. The government has not commented publicly on the verdict.

Moussi is one of dozens of political figures currently facing criminal charges in Tunisia. In April, a Tunisian court handed down lengthy prison sentences ranging from four to 74 years to 37 individuals, including lawyers, activists, and politicians. Amnesty International condemned the trial as "farcical," urging Tunisian authorities to quash the verdicts and drop all politically motivated charges.

Human rights organizations warn that the country, once hailed as a democratic success story in the aftermath of the Arab Spring, is regressing into authoritarian rule. Tunisia, which received international praise for its peaceful 2011 revolution and democratic transition, has seen sweeping political changes since Saied took office in 2019.

After assuming power, President Saied suspended parliament in 2021, restructured the judiciary, and rewrote the constitution in 2022—moves that critics argue were designed to centralize authority and sideline political opposition. These actions have sparked fears over the erosion of judicial independence and civil liberties.

Among the high-profile individuals currently detained are Rached Ghannouchi, the former speaker of parliament and ex-leader of the Ennahda Party; Sihem Bensedrine, a human rights lawyer and former head of the Truth and Dignity Commission; and student activist Rached Tamboura, imprisoned for anti-government graffiti.

Family members of detainees, including Ghannouchi, have raised concerns about poor prison conditions and restricted access to medical care.

Rights groups including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International are calling on Tunisia’s international partners, particularly the European Union, to reassess cooperation agreements unless the country improves its human rights record.

“Tunisia’s retreat from democratic norms should alarm all who supported its revolution,” said a spokesperson for Human Rights Watch. “Governments with influence must act now to prevent further backsliding.”

As Moussi begins her prison sentence, activists warn that more opposition figures could soon face similar fates unless domestic and international pressure mounts against the Saied administration’s tightening grip on power.