A court in Tunisia has sentenced former Justice Minister Noureddine Bhiri to 20 years in prison in a case involving the alleged facilitation of passports and citizenship documents for foreign nationals linked to terrorism cases. Tunisia’s State news agency reported on Wednesday that the ruling was issued by the criminal Chamber specializing in terrorism cases at the Tunis primary Court.
The case relates to accusations that passports and citizenship documents were fabricated for foreigners wanted in terrorism-related investigations during Bhiri’s tenure as justice minister in 2012. Bhiri and his legal team have strongly denied the allegations, describing the case as politically motivated and lacking legal basis. Bhiri, who is already imprisoned, had previously been sentenced on April 19, 2025, to 43 years in a separate case involving alleged conspiracy against state security.
The Court also sentenced former security official Fathi Al-Baladi to 20 years in prison in the same case.
In addition, the court handed 30-year prison sentences in absentia to Moaz Kheriji and three unnamed fugitives, with immediate enforcement orders issued. Two other unnamed defendants received 11-year prison terms, while all defendants were placed under administrative supervision for five years. The court, however, removed former Prime Minister Hamadi Jebali from the list of defendants.
State media reported that the case involved a Syrian national allegedly linked to international terrorism cases who obtained Tunisian identity documents. Authorities claim the case traces back to a Syrian man and his wife obtaining Tunisian passports from Tunisia’s embassy in Vienna between 1982 and 1984. Prosecutors argued that the nationality and identity registration process linked to those documents was fraudulently renewed in 2012 under Bhiri’s supervision. Bhiri has maintained that the origins of the matter predate his period in office.
The latest ruling comes amid a broader crackdown on opposition figures in Tunisia since February 2023. Several politicians, lawyers and civil society activists have been detained on charges including undermining public order, conspiring against state security, colluding with foreign entities and money laundering.
Among those prosecuted are leader of the Islamist Ennahdha Party Rached Ghannouchi, National Salvation Front leader Ahmed Nejib Chebbi, former presidential office minister Ridha Belhaj, Republican Party Secretary-General Issam Chebbi, and former minister Ghazi Chaouachi.
While Tunisian authorities insist the judiciary operates independently and according to the law, opposition groups accuse the government of suppressing dissent and targeting political opponents, lawyers, judges and activists.
