Tunisian Military Court Sentences Opposition Leader to Four Years

A Tunisian military court has sentenced opposition leader Olfa Hamdi to four years in prison on charges of plotting against state security and inciting the military to disobey orders.

Hamdi’s lawyer, Akram Moussa, said the case was linked to social media posts. He said the sentence included two separate two-year prison terms arising from additional convictions, as well as fines totalling 80,000 Tunisian dinars, equivalent to about $26,000.

Hamdi, a dual Tunisian and United States national, leads the Third Republic Party. She has repeatedly criticised President Kais Saied’s rule and called for a transitional government and early presidential elections.

Political background

Hamdi sought to contest Tunisia’s 2024 presidential election, but her candidacy was rejected because she was 36 at the time and did not meet the 40-year minimum age requirement.

She had been living abroad and operating a consulting firm in the United States. She also briefly served as head of Tunisia’s national airline, Tunisair.

Hamdi was detained at Tunisia’s main airport after arriving on a flight in February. She was also sentenced in March to two years in prison in a separate case. The available information does not specify the status of that sentence or whether she plans to appeal the latest ruling.

Reaction to the case

Critics of President Saied have described Hamdi’s prosecution as part of a wider crackdown on his opponents. Opposition leaders, activists and journalists have been imprisoned during his rule, according to the source report.

Rights organisations have accused Saied of rolling back freedoms following what they describe as a 2021 power grab. Thousands of Tunisians have also joined what was described as the largest protest against the president in years, accusing him of weakening democracy and mishandling the economy.

Saied rejects allegations that he is targeting political opponents and critics. He maintains that the law applies to everyone, regardless of their position.

A US Department of State spokesperson said Washington was “closely tracking the situation”. The spokesperson also said the Trump administration’s highest priority was the safety and security of American citizens.