A Tunisian military court has handed down a four‑year prison sentence to opposition leader Olfa Hamdi on charges of plotting against state security and inciting the military to disobey orders, her lawyer Akram Moussa said on Wednesday.
The convictions stem from a series of social media posts in which Hamdi, a dual Tunisian and United States national, repeatedly criticised President Kais Saied’s rule and called for a transitional government and early presidential elections.
Hamdi, who leads the Third Republic Party, had been living abroad and running a consulting firm in the United States after a brief stint as head of Tunisia’s national airline Tunisair. She was detained at the country’s main airport after disembarking from a flight in February.
The sentence comprises two separate two‑year prison terms from additional convictions and an 80,000‑dinar ($26,000) fine, her lawyer said. A separate case in March had already sentenced her to two years in prison.
Human rights organisations have criticised the cases against her, saying the move is part of a broader crackdown on opponents of Saied. The U.S. Department of State has said Washington is closely tracking the situation, stressing the safety and security of American citizens.
Thousands of Tunisians joined the largest protest against Saied in years on Saturday, accusing him of undermining democracy and mishandling the economy. Saied rejects accusations that he is targeting critics, saying the law applies to everyone.
Watch for further developments as the case may influence Tunisia’s political climate ahead of future elections.
