Ayachi Hammami appeals to Cassation Court judges from prison ahead of 'state plot' case hearing
Ayachi Hammami, an attorney and political activist, has directly addressed the judges of the Cassation Court from Mornaguia prison, two days before their hearing on the 'plot against state security' case. In a letter published on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, Hammami urged the judges to overturn the appeal court's decision, emphasizing their "legal, moral, and historical" responsibility. He stated that the Cassation Court, as a court of law, must review the appeal court's ruling. Hammami presented two options: either quash the decision to end the irregularities he has consistently highlighted, or confirm it, which he believes would grant the decision definitive judicial legitimacy. Hammami described the case as a "political trial," alleging that state apparatuses were used to target opponents based on their political views and activities. He also accused the judiciary of being instrumentalized to intimidate and silence critics. He specifically highlighted the absence of the accused during their trial as a serious precedent, arguing it deprived them of the opportunity to defend themselves directly. Hammami believes the Cassation Court's decision will have a lasting impact on the country's judicial history, extending beyond the individual fates of those prosecuted. He connected the case to the broader state of justice, mentioning the dissolution of the Supreme Council of the Judiciary and a perceived decline in judicial independence. Hammami, who chaired the defense committee for