A Tunisian military court sentenced opposition leader Olfa Hamdi to four years over social media posts, her lawyer said. The Third Republic Party leader has been detained since February and already received a separate sentence in March. The latest judgment follows opposition demonstrations against President Kais Saied, who rejects accusations of politically motivated prosecutions.
A military court in Tunisia sentenced Olfa Hamdi, leader of the opposition Third Republic Party, to four years in prison over social media statements. Her lawyer Akram Moussa announced the judgment on October 21. He said the charges involved plotting against state security and inciting military disobedience. The sentence comprised two terms of two years, alongside a fine of 80,000 Tunisian dinars.[1], [2]
Hamdi was detained at an airport in February after returning from abroad and has remained in custody. She received a separate two-year sentence in March. A Tunisian-US dual citizen, she previously briefly ran the national airline Tunisair and founded a based in the United States consultancy. The US State Department said it was following her case. Her attempted presidential candidacy in 2024 was rejected because she did not meet the minimum age.[1]
The judgment followed weekend demonstrations against President Kais Saied’s administration. Opposition groups and rights advocates say political activity has been restricted and critical speech criminalized since Saied expanded his powers in 2021. He rejects accusations of politically motivated prosecutions and says the law applies equally. Hamdi had criticized his rule and called for a transitional government and early presidential elections.[1]
