NEWS & POLITICS
Tunisia Sentences Activist Saadia Mosbah to 8 Years Over Controversial Money Laundering Charges
A Tunisian court has sentenced prominent migrant rights activist Saadia Mosbah to eight years in prison, intensifying concerns over a widening human rights crackdown under President Kais Saied.
Michael Oduor
TUNIS, Tunisia (Running Africa) — Mosbah, founder of the anti-racism group Mnemty and a leading advocate for sub-Saharan migrants and Black Tunisians, was convicted on March 19 on charges including money laundering, terrorism-related offenses, and "forming a criminal conspiracy" tied to her organization's activities. The court also imposed a $34,700 fine.
Her lawyer, Ben Salem, condemned the ruling, calling it "shocking" and politically driven. "This has nothing to do with the case. It sends a clear message that civil society work is now treated as suspicious," he said.
Arrest, Charges, and Wider Sentencing
Image: New Vision
The 66-year-old activist was arrested in May 2024 alongside several associates. Her son was sentenced to three years in prison, while another human rights activist received a two-year sentence.
Mosbah has long been a vocal critic of Tunisia's treatment of migrants, particularly following President Saied's controversial 2023 remarks describing undocumented migrants as a "demographic threat."
Tunisia's Migrant Crisis and Civil Society Under Pressure
Image: Politics Today
Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have repeatedly raised alarm over shrinking civic space in Tunisia, citing arrests of opposition figures, activists, and journalists.
Mosbah's work placed her at the forefront of defending marginalized communities, particularly sub-Saharan migrants who have faced increasing violence, discrimination, and forced displacement in recent years.
Her sentencing has drawn widespread condemnation from rights groups and political leaders, many of whom argue the case is part of a broader effort to silence dissent.
Speaking to TV5MONDE, Mosbah's sister, Affet Mosbah, expressed concern over her condition, noting that the activist suffers from a chronic illness.
"We will soon know her state of mind, but we are deeply worried given her health," she said.
Mounting Criticism of President Kais Saied's Government
Image: Anadolu Ajansi
Since consolidating power, President Saied has faced growing international scrutiny over alleged human rights violations. In May 2024, he accused organizations supporting African migrants of acting against national interests, labeling them "traitors" and "mercenaries."
His rhetoric has been linked to a surge in anti-migrant violence, forcing thousands to flee Tunisia in recent months.
As global attention intensifies, Mosbah's conviction is shaping up to be a landmark case—one that underscores the fragile state of human rights, migrant protection, and civil society freedoms in Tunisia today.