Tunisian Court Sentences Lawyer Sonia Dhamani Amid Crackdown on Dissent

Sonia Dhamani, a prominent Tunisian lawyer and vocal critic of President Kais Saied, was sentenced to two years in prison for statements criticizing government policies toward sub-Saharan African migrants. Her trial, conducted under the controversial Decree 54 cybercrime law, faced criticism for alleged double jeopardy after her lawyers withdrew in protest over the judge's refusal to adjourn the session. This case is part of a broader pattern since Saied's consolidation of power in 2021, during which numerous opposition figures, journalists, and activists have been imprisoned, raising concerns about the erosion of democratic freedoms in Tunisia. Rights groups accuse Saied of using the judiciary and police to suppress dissent, effectively reversing the democratic gains made after the 2011 Arab Spring revolution. Saied, however, denies these allegations, stating his actions aim to end chaos and corruption and that he holds everyone accountable equally. The sentencing of Dhamani highlights the ongoing tensions between legal advocacy, political criticism, and government authority in Tunisia.