"first known instance"

#13139976

29 December 2025

Demonstrators hold up a sign featuring the portrait of Ahmed Najib Chebbi with text in Arabic, ''Release Ahmed Najib Chebbi,'' as they participate in a rally that brings together relatives and members of the National Committee in Support of Political Prisoner Ahmed Najib Chebbi outside the Court of Appeal in Tunis, Tunisia, on December 29, 2025. Participants aim to express solidarity with the imprisoned prominent opposition figure Ahmed Najib Chebbi (or Ahmed Nejib Chebbi) as the court holds a hearing to examine an objection to the 12-year prison sentence issued against him in absentia in the case known as ''conspiracy against state security.'' Chebbi, 81, boycotts both the first-instance and appeal court hearings, denouncing what he describes as an ''unfair trial, unjust sentence, and unlawful detention.'' Most defendants in the case, including him, refuse to appear by videoconference, as ordered by the judge.

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#13139977

29 December 2025

Demonstrators hold up a banner featuring the portrait of Ahmed Najib Chebbi with text in Arabic, ''Power is with the authorities, and justice is on our side,'' as they participate in a rally that brings together relatives and members of the National Committee in Support of Political Prisoner Ahmed Najib Chebbi, organized outside the Court of Appeal in Tunis, Tunisia, on December 29, 2025. Participants aim to express solidarity with the imprisoned prominent opposition figure Ahmed Najib Chebbi (or Ahmed Nejib Chebbi) as the court holds a hearing to examine an objection to the 12-year prison sentence issued against him in absentia in the case known as ''conspiracy against state security.'' Chebbi, 81, boycotts both the first-instance and appeal court hearings, denouncing what he describes as an ''unfair trial, unjust sentence, and unlawful detention.'' Most defendants in the case, including him, refuse to appear by videoconference, as ordered by the judge.

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#13051324

3 December 2025

The President of the National Union of Tunisian Journalists (SNJT), Zied Dabbar (center), gives an interview to the press as he participates in a 'silent' demonstration organized by the SNJT outside the Court of Appeal in Tunis, Tunisia, on December 2, 2025, in solidarity with the imprisoned journalist Chadha Hadj Mbarek. In a statement released yesterday, the SNJT calls for her release, for her trial to be conducted while she is at liberty, and for the dismissal of all charges against her. Chadha, sentenced to five years in prison in the first instance in the case known as 'Instalingo', appears on appeal before the judges. She faces charges of conspiracy against state security, disturbing public order, and insulting President Kais Saied. The case also involves other figures, including Ennahda Islamist party leader Rached Ghannouchi and former Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi. Instalingo, where Chadha is employed, is (or was) a company specializing in digital content creation, communication, and digital marketing. In recent years, the authorities under President Kais Saied accuse, charge, arrest, detain, or imprison journalists for doing their job. Tunisian journalists and civil society groups denounce what they describe as a crackdown on the freedom of the press aiming to silence them. International human rights groups and press freedom advocates, including Amnesty International and Reporters Without Borders (RWB; French: Reporters sans frontieres; RSF), condemn the imprisonment of Chadha Hadj Mbarek and call for her immediate release.

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#13051329

3 December 2025

President of the National Union of Tunisian Journalists (SNJT), Zied Dabbar, gives an interview to the press as he participates in a 'silent' demonstration organized by the SNJT outside the Court of Appeal in Tunis, Tunisia, on December 2, 2025, in solidarity with the imprisoned journalist Chadha Hadj Mbarek. In a statement released yesterday, the SNJT calls for her release, for her trial to be conducted while she is at liberty, and for the dismissal of all charges against her. Chadha, sentenced to five years in prison in the first instance in the case known as 'Instalingo', appears on appeal before the judges. She faces charges of conspiracy against state security, disturbing public order, and insulting President Kais Saied. The case also involves other figures, including Ennahda Islamist party leader Rached Ghannouchi and former Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi. Instalingo, where Chadha is employed, is a company specializing in digital content creation, communication, and digital marketing. In recent years, the authorities under President Kais Saied accuse, charge, arrest, detain, or imprison journalists for doing their job. Tunisian journalists and civil society groups denounce what they describe as a crackdown on the freedom of the press aiming to silence them. International human rights groups and press freedom advocates, including Amnesty International and Reporters Without Borders (RWB; French: Reporters sans frontieres; RSF), condemn the imprisonment of Chadha Hadj Mbarek and call for her immediate release.

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#13051334

3 December 2025

Journalists pose for a photo as they participate in a 'silent' demonstration organized by the National Union of Tunisian Journalists (SNJT) outside the Court of Appeal in Tunis, Tunisia, on December 2, 2025, in solidarity with the imprisoned journalist Chadha Hadj Mbarek. In a statement released yesterday, the SNJT calls for her release, for her trial to be conducted while she is at liberty, and for the dismissal of all charges against her. Chadha, sentenced to five years in prison in the first instance in the case known as 'Instalingo', appears on appeal before the judges. She faces charges of conspiracy against state security, disturbing public order, and insulting President Kais Saied. The case also involves other figures, including Ennahda Islamist party leader Rached Ghannouchi and former Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi. Instalingo, where Chadha is employed, is a company specializing in digital content creation, communication, and digital marketing. In recent years, the authorities under President Kais Saied accuse, charge, arrest, detain, or imprison journalists for doing their job. Tunisian journalists and civil society groups denounce what they describe as a crackdown on the freedom of the press aiming to silence them. International human rights groups and press freedom advocates, including Amnesty International and Reporters Without Borders (RWB; French: Reporters sans frontieres; RSF), condemn the imprisonment of Chadha Hadj Mbarek and call for her immediate release.

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#13051338

3 December 2025

Chadha Hadj Mbarek's brother poses for a photo as he takes part in a 'silent' demonstration organized by the National Union of Tunisian Journalists (SNJT) outside the Court of Appeal in Tunis, Tunisia, on December 2, 2025, in solidarity with his imprisoned sister. In a statement released yesterday, the SNJT calls for her release, for her trial to be conducted while she is at liberty, and for the dismissal of all charges against her. Chadha, sentenced to five years in prison in the first instance in the case known as 'Instalingo', appears on appeal before the judges. She faces charges of conspiracy against state security, disturbing public order, and insulting President Kais Saied. The case also involves other figures, including Ennahda Islamist party leader Rached Ghannouchi and former Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi. Instalingo, where Chadha is employed, is a company specializing in digital content creation, communication, and digital marketing. In recent years, the authorities under President Kais Saied accuse, charge, arrest, detain, or imprison journalists for doing their job. Tunisian journalists and civil society groups denounce what they describe as a crackdown on the freedom of the press aiming to silence them. International human rights groups and press freedom advocates, including Amnesty International and Reporters Without Borders (RWB; French: Reporters sans frontieres; RSF), condemn the imprisonment of Chadha Hadj Mbarek and call for her immediate release.

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#13051346

3 December 2025

Journalists take part in a 'silent' demonstration organized by the National Union of Tunisian Journalists (SNJT) outside the Court of Appeal in Tunis, Tunisia, on December 2, 2025, in solidarity with the imprisoned journalist Chadha Hadj Mbarek. In a statement released yesterday, the SNJT calls for her release, for her trial to be conducted while she is at liberty, and for the dismissal of all charges against her. Chadha, sentenced to five years in prison in the first instance in the case known as 'Instalingo', appears on appeal before the judges. She faces charges of conspiracy against state security, disturbing public order, and insulting President Kais Saied. The case also involves other figures, including Ennahda Islamist party leader Rached Ghannouchi and former Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi. Instalingo, where Chadha is employed, is a company specializing in digital content creation, communication, and digital marketing. In recent years, the authorities under President Kais Saied accuse, charge, arrest, detain, or imprison journalists for doing their job. Tunisian journalists and civil society groups denounce what they describe as a crackdown on the freedom of the press aiming to silence them. International human rights groups and press freedom advocates, including Amnesty International and Reporters Without Borders (RWB; French: Reporters sans frontieres; RSF), condemn the imprisonment of Chadha Hadj Mbarek and call for her immediate release.

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#13051365

3 December 2025

President of the National Union of Tunisian Journalists (SNJT), Zied Dabbar, gives an interview to the press as he participates in a 'silent' demonstration organized by the SNJT outside the Court of Appeal in Tunis, Tunisia, on December 2, 2025, in solidarity with the imprisoned journalist Chadha Hadj Mbarek. In a statement released yesterday, the SNJT calls for her release, for her trial to be conducted while she is at liberty, and for the dismissal of all charges against her. Chadha, sentenced to five years in prison in the first instance in the case known as 'Instalingo', appears on appeal before the judges. She faces charges of conspiracy against state security, disturbing public order, and insulting President Kais Saied. The case also involves other figures, including Ennahda Islamist party leader Rached Ghannouchi and former Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi. Instalingo, where Chadha is employed, is a company specializing in digital content creation, communication, and digital marketing. In recent years, the authorities under President Kais Saied accuse, charge, arrest, detain, or imprison journalists for doing their job. Tunisian journalists and civil society groups denounce what they describe as a crackdown on the freedom of the press aiming to silence them. International human rights groups and press freedom advocates, including Amnesty International and Reporters Without Borders (RWB; French: Reporters sans frontieres; RSF), condemn the imprisonment of Chadha Hadj Mbarek and call for her immediate release.

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#13051369

3 December 2025

President of the National Union of Tunisian Journalists (SNJT), Zied Dabbar, gives an interview to the press as he participates in a 'silent' demonstration organized by the SNJT outside the Court of Appeal in Tunis, Tunisia, on December 2, 2025, in solidarity with the imprisoned journalist Chadha Hadj Mbarek. In a statement released yesterday, the SNJT calls for her release, for her trial to be conducted while she is at liberty, and for the dismissal of all charges against her. Chadha, sentenced to five years in prison in the first instance in the case known as 'Instalingo', appears on appeal before the judges. She faces charges of conspiracy against state security, disturbing public order, and insulting President Kais Saied. The case also involves other figures, including Ennahda Islamist party leader Rached Ghannouchi and former Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi. Instalingo, where Chadha is employed, is a company specializing in digital content creation, communication, and digital marketing. In recent years, the authorities under President Kais Saied accuse, charge, arrest, detain, or imprison journalists for doing their job. Tunisian journalists and civil society groups denounce what they describe as a crackdown on the freedom of the press aiming to silence them. International human rights groups and press freedom advocates, including Amnesty International and Reporters Without Borders (RWB; French: Reporters sans frontieres; RSF), condemn the imprisonment of Chadha Hadj Mbarek and call for her immediate release.

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#13051372

3 December 2025

President of the National Union of Tunisian Journalists (SNJT), Zied Dabbar, gives an interview to the press as he participates in a 'silent' demonstration organized by the SNJT outside the Court of Appeal in Tunis, Tunisia, on December 2, 2025, in solidarity with the imprisoned journalist Chadha Hadj Mbarek. In a statement released yesterday, the SNJT calls for her release, for her trial to be conducted while she is at liberty, and for the dismissal of all charges against her. Chadha, sentenced to five years in prison in the first instance in the case known as 'Instalingo', appears on appeal before the judges. She faces charges of conspiracy against state security, disturbing public order, and insulting President Kais Saied. The case also involves other figures, including Ennahda Islamist party leader Rached Ghannouchi and former Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi. Instalingo, where Chadha is employed, is a company specializing in digital content creation, communication, and digital marketing. In recent years, the authorities under President Kais Saied accuse, charge, arrest, detain, or imprison journalists for doing their job. Tunisian journalists and civil society groups denounce what they describe as a crackdown on the freedom of the press aiming to silence them. International human rights groups and press freedom advocates, including Amnesty International and Reporters Without Borders (RWB; French: Reporters sans frontieres; RSF), condemn the imprisonment of Chadha Hadj Mbarek and call for her immediate release.

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#13051373

3 December 2025

President of the National Union of Tunisian Journalists (SNJT), Zied Dabbar, poses for photos as he participates in a 'silent' demonstration organized by the SNJT outside the Court of Appeal in Tunis, Tunisia, on December 2, 2025, in solidarity with the imprisoned journalist Chadha Hadj Mbarek. In a statement released yesterday, the SNJT calls for her release, for her trial to be conducted while she is at liberty, and for the dismissal of all charges against her. Chadha, sentenced to five years in prison in the first instance in the case known as 'Instalingo', appears on appeal before the judges. She faces charges of conspiracy against state security, disturbing public order, and insulting President Kais Saied. The case also involves other figures, including Ennahda Islamist party leader Rached Ghannouchi and former Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi. Instalingo, where Chadha is employed, is a company specializing in digital content creation, communication, and digital marketing. In recent years, the authorities under President Kais Saied accuse, charge, arrest, detain, or imprison journalists for doing their job. Tunisian journalists and civil society groups denounce what they describe as a crackdown on the freedom of the press aiming to silence them. International human rights groups and press freedom advocates, including Amnesty International and Reporters Without Borders (RWB; French: Reporters sans frontieres; RSF), condemn the imprisonment of Chadha Hadj Mbarek and call for her immediate release.

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#13051374

3 December 2025

President of the National Union of Tunisian Journalists (SNJT), Zied Dabbar, poses for photos as he participates in a 'silent' demonstration organized by the SNJT outside the Court of Appeal in Tunis, Tunisia, on December 2, 2025, in solidarity with the imprisoned journalist Chadha Hadj Mbarek. In a statement released yesterday, the SNJT calls for her release, for her trial to be conducted while she is at liberty, and for the dismissal of all charges against her. Chadha, sentenced to five years in prison in the first instance in the case known as 'Instalingo', appears on appeal before the judges. She faces charges of conspiracy against state security, disturbing public order, and insulting President Kais Saied. The case also involves other figures, including Ennahda Islamist party leader Rached Ghannouchi and former Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi. Instalingo, where Chadha is employed, is a company specializing in digital content creation, communication, and digital marketing. In recent years, the authorities under President Kais Saied accuse, charge, arrest, detain, or imprison journalists for doing their job. Tunisian journalists and civil society groups denounce what they describe as a crackdown on the freedom of the press aiming to silence them. International human rights groups and press freedom advocates, including Amnesty International and Reporters Without Borders (RWB; French: Reporters sans frontieres; RSF), condemn the imprisonment of Chadha Hadj Mbarek and call for her immediate release.

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#12991003

15 November 2025

Protesters attend a demonstration that brings together supporters of the National Salvation Front, the Republican Party, and families of imprisoned prominent opposition figures in Tunis, Tunisia, on November 15, 2025. The demonstration aims to show solidarity with prominent opposition figures sentenced to long prison terms at first instance in the case known as the ''conspiracy against state security,'' and who are currently on hunger strike in prison. For more than two weeks, political opponent and law professor Jaouhar Ben Mbarek, who is sentenced to a long prison term in the same case, is on a wild hunger strike in his prison cell. According to his lawyers and family, his health deteriorates, and he is reportedly violently assaulted in prison by both inmates and prison officers. In solidarity with Jaouhar Ben Mbarek, other prominent political figures including Rached Ghannouchi, Ghazi Chaouachi, and Issam Chebbi, imprisoned in the same case, as well as former judge and lawyer Ahmed Souab, also start a hunger strike. They all decry the 'politically motivated' convictions, the poor conditions of their incarceration, and a trial that does not meet the standards of a fair and impartial process.

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#12991004

15 November 2025

Demonstrators hold up placards featuring portraits of imprisoned political figures and reading 'Freedom' during a demonstration that brings together supporters of the National Salvation Front, the Republican Party, and families of imprisoned prominent opposition figures in Tunis, Tunisia, on November 15, 2025. The demonstration aims to show solidarity with prominent opposition figures sentenced to long prison terms at first instance in the case known as the ''conspiracy against state security,'' and who are currently on hunger strike in prison. For more than two weeks, political opponent and law professor Jaouhar Ben Mbarek, who is sentenced to a long prison term in the same case, is on a wild hunger strike in his prison cell. According to his lawyers and family, his health deteriorates, and he is reportedly violently assaulted in prison by both inmates and prison officers. In solidarity with Jaouhar Ben Mbarek, other prominent political figures including Rached Ghannouchi, Ghazi Chaouachi, and Issam Chebbi, imprisoned in the same case, as well as former judge and lawyer Ahmed Souab, also start a hunger strike. They all decry the 'politically motivated' convictions, the poor conditions of their incarceration, and a trial that does not meet the standards of a fair and impartial process.

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#12991007

15 November 2025

A demonstrator holds a placard featuring a portrait of Rached Ghannouchi, the jailed leader of the Islamist Ennahda party, with the word ''Freedom'' during a demonstration that brings together supporters of the National Salvation Front, the Republican Party, and families of imprisoned prominent opposition figures in Tunis, Tunisia, on November 15, 2025. The demonstration aims to show solidarity with prominent opposition figures sentenced to long prison terms at first instance in the case known as the ''conspiracy against state security,'' and who are currently on hunger strike in prison. For more than two weeks, political opponent and law professor Jaouhar Ben Mbarek, who is sentenced to a long prison term in the same case, is on a wild hunger strike in his prison cell. According to his lawyers and family, his health deteriorates, and he is reportedly violently assaulted in prison by both inmates and prison officers. In solidarity with Jaouhar Ben Mbarek, other prominent political figures including Rached Ghannouchi, Ghazi Chaouachi, and Issam Chebbi, imprisoned in the same case, as well as former judge and lawyer Ahmed Souab, also start a hunger strike. They all decry the 'politically motivated' convictions, the poor conditions of their incarceration, and a trial that does not meet the standards of a fair and impartial process.

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#12403708

24 May 2025

A plastic basket used by families to bring food to their loved ones in prison is seen during a symbolic visiting room organized by the family of lawyer and former judge Ahmed Souab to support him, in Tunis, Tunisia, on May 23, 2025. The event brings together dozens of activists, artists, civil society members, journalists, and representatives of human rights organizations who come to show their solidarity. Ahmed Souab, known for his opposition to Tunisian President Kais Saied, is detained on terrorism charges after publicly denouncing the severity of the sentences handed down in the so-called ''conspiracy against state security'' case. He is part of the legal team defending several prominent political figures who are sentenced to lengthy prison terms in the same case at the first instance.

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