After more than 20 months behind bars , Sherifa Riahi, former director of the Tunisian branch of the NGO France Terre d'Asile, and her colleagues were released on the night of January 5-6. The court delivered its verdict after a marathon hearing marked by the determination of the defendants and their lawyers.

A two-year suspended sentence

The trial, which took place on Monday, January 5, involved six employees of the NGO and 17 agents of the municipality of Sousse. The defendants initially faced up to ten years in prison .

1. The sentence: The court ultimately handed down a two-year suspended prison sentence for the detainees, allowing for their immediate release.
2. The charges: They were prosecuted for "facilitating the illegal entry and stay" of migrants and for the misuse of public functions to procure undue advantages.

"I was just doing my job."

In court, Sherifa Riahi maintained a firm line of defense. She asserted that she had acted in full compliance with national regulations and international conventions signed by the Tunisian state.

"I have no regrets, I was just doing my job," she told the judge, refuting any intention of illegality in her humanitarian actions.

The defense team, for its part, pointed to numerous procedural irregularities and malfunctions throughout the investigation.

A context of increased repression

This trial takes place amid growing tension for civil society in Tunisia. For many observers, including the Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights (FTDES), this case illustrates a wave of repression that began in February 2023.

Key figures from the case	Details
Length of detention	More than 20 months
Number of defendants	6 (NGO) + 17 (City of Sousse)
Penalty incurred	Up to 10 years in prison
Final punishment	2 years suspended sentence (for prisoners)