In a move that has sparked widespread criticism, a Tunisian court has sentenced opposition leaders, businessmen, and lawyers to up to 66 years in prison on charges of conspiracy. The harsh sentences, which were handed down to around 40 individuals, have been met with outrage from rights groups and opposition members, who claim that the case is politically motivated and aimed at silencing dissent.

The sentences, which range from 13 to 66 years, are the latest development in a crackdown on opposition figures that began in 2022, when President Kais Saied disbanded the independent Supreme Judicial Council and removed hundreds of judges from office. Since then, many opposition leaders, businessmen, and lawyers have been arrested and charged with conspiracy, with around 20 fleeing the country to avoid prosecution.

Among those sentenced are prominent opposition figures, including Ghazi Chaouachi, Issam Chebbi, Jawahar Ben Mbrak, Abdelhamid Jlassi, Ridha Belhaj, and Khyam Turki. The defendants' lawyer, Ahmed Souab, has described the trial as a "farce" and the rulings as "scandalous and shameful." Souab has also expressed concern that the sentences were predetermined, with the judicial official refusing to disclose any information about the case beyond the sentence duration.

The Tunisian authorities have claimed that the defendants intended to disrupt the government and depose President Saied. However, opposition leaders and rights groups have dismissed these claims, arguing that the charges are politically motivated and aimed at consolidating the president's power. In 2023, President Saied sparked controversy by labeling politicians as "traitors and terrorists" and suggesting that judges who would acquit them were their accomplices.

The opposition leaders have alleged that President Saied orchestrated a coup in 2021 and that the charges against them are part of a broader effort to silence dissent and pave the way for authoritarian rule. They claim that they were working on a plan to bring together the divided opposition in response to what they view as a serious blow to democracy in the birthplace of the Arab Spring.

The sentences have sparked widespread concern about the state of democracy in Tunisia, with many viewing the move as a significant setback for the country's democratic progress. The incident has also drawn international attention, with rights groups and foreign governments calling for the Tunisian authorities to respect the rule of law and protect human rights.

As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the Tunisian authorities will respond to the backlash and whether the sentences will be upheld or overturned. However, one thing is clear: the move has dealt a significant blow to Tunisia's democratic credentials and has sparked a renewed debate about the role of the judiciary in protecting human rights and upholding the rule of law.