Tunisia upholds eight-year jail term for anti-racism activist: lawyer

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Tunis: A Tunisian court has upheld an eight-year prison sentence against prominent anti-racism activist Saadia Mosbah for alleged financial misconduct. The decision has drawn significant criticism from human rights advocates who label the charges baseless.

Mosbah, who leads the Mnemty association, was arrested in 2024 during a crackdown on NGOs aiding undocumented sub-Saharan migrants. Her activism was vital following President Kais Saied's 2023 speech characterizing such migrants as a ‘demographic threat’.

Her legal team maintains her innocence, arguing the case was driven by a racist social media campaign rather than facts. Lawyers highlighted that Mosbah was instrumental in passing Tunisia’s 2018 anti-racism law.

Amnesty International condemned the verdict as tainted by a ‘coordinated racist smear campaign’. The group also reported grave concerns regarding physical abuse and racism Mosbah has allegedly suffered while imprisoned, treatment potentially amounting to torture.

Photo Credits: AFP