Issam Chebbi

Issam Chebbi, a veteran Tunisian politician and Secretary-General of the Republican Party, was charged in the “conspiracy against state security” case and sentenced to 18 years in prison. He spent his detention in two prisons: Mornaguia Civil Prison and then Borj El Roumi prison.
Investigations and arrests in the conspiracy case began in February 2023, following a letter from the Minister of Justice to the Public Prosecution after her meeting with the President of the Republic. Issam Chebbi was arrested after WhatsApp conversations between him and Khayam Turki were found, which contained no reference to any conspiracy. He appeared before the investigating judge only once and was asked four questions, and did not appear before any other judicial body for two years and seven months. He was tried remotely without questioning or pleadings, and the 18-year prison sentence was handed down without material evidence.
During his detention in Mornaguia prison, his health deteriorated as a result of the conditions of detention, requiring his transfer to Mongi Slim Hospital in August 2023. In October 2023, he went on hunger strike demanding his right to a fair trial, in protest against the procedural violations affecting his case (questioning without material evidence, absence of the legally required confrontations, and charges built solely on WhatsApp conversations).