The Tunisian Human Rights League LTDH has condemned the "severe" sentences handed down to Ajmi Lourimi and Elyes Chaouachi, expressing serious concerns about fair trial guarantees. The LTDH stated that the judgments against Ajmi Lourimi, secretary general of the Ennahdha movement, and political activist Elyes Chaouachi raise questions about the presumption of innocence. The organization reiterated its rejection of any "instrumentalization of justice in politically charged cases" and emphasized the importance of judicial independence and fundamental rights. These statements follow two judicial decisions on July 3, 2026. Ajmi Lourimi was sentenced to three years in prison by the criminal chamber specializing in terrorism cases at the Tunis Court of First Instance, along with co-accused Moss芒ab Gharbi. They were prosecuted after their arrest in July 2024 while with Mohamed Ghannoudi, an Ennahdha activist sought by the judicial anti-terrorism unit. On the same day, Elyes Chaouachi, who resides in France, was sentenced to fifteen years in prison in a new case under the anti-terrorism law. Chaouachi announced the judgment himself, stating that his cumulative sentences now total 95 years and eight months, which he believes are politically motivated due to his criticisms of the government. The LTDH's statement adds to growing concerns about the increasing number of prosecutions targeting opponents and activists in Tunisia, fueling debate on public freedoms and judicial independence.
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Business News.
The Ennahdha movement has condemned the three-year prison sentences handed down to its Secretary-General, Ajmi Lourimi, and activist Moss芒ab Gharbi, on Friday, July 3, 2026, by the criminal chamber specializing in terrorism cases at the Tunis Court of First Instance. Ennahdha issued a statement on Saturday, July 4, 2026, describing the judgment as "unjust" and the case as "fabricated," demanding the immediate release of both individuals. The party stated that the charges against Lourimi, Gharbi, and Mohamed Ghannoudi, who were arrested in July 2024, are baseless. Ennahdha highlighted that Mohamed Ghannoudi was publicly participating in political activities, including a rally organized by the National Salvation Front in Tunis, and was not subject to any judicial proceedings or search warrants at the time of his arrest. The movement alleges that the accusations were constructed after their apprehension. Ennahdha is appealing to political parties, national organizations, and civil society to unite against what it perceives as the instrumentalization of justice for political ends, accusing authorities of using the judiciary to target political opponents. Ajmi Lourimi was prosecuted for failing to inform authorities of facts related to a terrorist offense, while Moss芒ab Gharbi faced accusations including preparatory acts to harbor, conceal, facilitate the escape of, and prevent the discovery or prosecution of a person linked to terrorist offenses. The arrests occurred in July 2024
Tunisian tennis champion Ons Jabeur has donated a next-generation genetic sequencing NGS device to the Salah Azaiez National Cancer Institute. The institute announced on Saturday, July 4, 2026, that the equipment was received by the anatomical and pathological cytology department. The official commissioning ceremony was attended by the institute's Director General, Najoua Ben Ammara, the Chief of Staff of the Ministry of Health, Mabrouk Aounallah, the Regional Health Director of Tunis, Imen Souissi, and the Tunisian champion herself. The Salah Azaiez Institute stated that this advanced equipment will significantly enhance precision diagnostic capabilities, which are crucial for managing various cancers and guiding personalized treatments. The institute believes the new device will improve patient care through more precise and faster analyses. The institute expressed gratitude to Jabeur, commending her "noble initiative that reflects her humanism and commitment to supporting the health sector." Ons Jabeur, the first Arab and African woman to reach a Grand Slam final and a former world number two, is also known for her humanitarian and social commitments. Since February 2024, she has served as a United Nations World Food Programme WFP Goodwill Ambassador, using her platform to combat food insecurity. She participates in awareness and fundraising campaigns for populations affected by humanitarian crises, particularly in Palestine, and has pledged a portion of her tournament earn
French coach Herv茅 Renard officially announced his departure from the Tunisian national team on Saturday, July 4, 2026, via an Instagram post. This statement ended speculation about his future with the Carthage Eagles. Renard expressed his gratitude to the Tunisian team for the opportunity to participate in the 2026 World Cup, calling it an honor to represent Tunisia and an unforgettable experience. He wished the team the best for the future, confident in their continued growth and success. His departure comes despite earlier reports suggesting potential discussions for a contract extension. On Thursday, July 2, it was reported that Renard was expected to meet with the Minister of Youth and Sports, Sadok Mourali, and the new national technical director, Ridha Jeddi, to discuss his sports project for a possible contract renewal, as his contract was set to expire on July 15. Renard had been brought in urgently during the 2026 World Cup to replace Sabri Lamouchi, who was dismissed after the first match. He was tasked with improving the struggling Tunisian team but was unable to reverse their performance or prevent the team's difficulties. His departure now leaves the Tunisian Football Federation with the challenge of finding a new coach to revitalize the team after their World Cup failure, while the federal office is expected to continue its mandate despite criticism over the results.