On 12 February 2026, the appeal trial of human rights lawyer Ahmed Souab will open before the Tunis Court of Appeal. The Tunis Court of First Instance had last October sentenced him to five years in prison following a grossly unfair trial that only lasted seven minutes. Since his arrest on 21 April 2025, the health of 69-year-old Ahmed Souab has significantly deteriorated in prison. He is currently detained in El Mornaguia prison, outside of Tunis. Since his conviction was related solely to his work as a lawyer and the exercise of his right to freedom of expression, Tunisian authorities must quash Ahmed Souab’s unjust conviction and immediately and unconditionally release him. Authorities must ensure that human rights lawyers are able to freely carry out their work in a safe and enabling environment without any reprisals.
