Tunisian court jails lawyer Sonia Dahmani for criticising migrant policy

A Tunisian court on Monday sentenced prominent lawyer and government critic Sonia Dahmani to two years in prison over comments challenging the state’s treatment of sub-Saharan migrants—raising alarm among rights groups about the deepening repression in the country.

Dahmani’s defence team withdrew from the courtroom after the judge refused their request to postpone the trial, accusing the court of trying her twice for the same offence.

“What’s happening is a farce,” said her lawyer, Sami Ben Ghazi. “Sonia is being punished for the same statement twice.” Fellow lawyer Bassem Trifi called the verdict “a grave injustice”.

Dahmani was arrested last year following remarks made during a televised debate, in which she criticised the Tunisian government’s stance on undocumented African migrants. She was prosecuted under Decree 54, a controversial cybercrime law that has become a tool for silencing journalists, lawyers, and opposition figures.

President Kais Saied has faced growing accusations of authoritarianism since seizing sweeping powers in 2021. He has repeatedly denied targeting critics, insisting his actions are lawful and aimed at ending corruption and restoring order.