A Tunisian court on Thursday sentenced Saadia Mosbah, a prominent migrant rights and anti-racist Activist, to ​eight years in prison, in a ruling that highlights ‌what critics described as an escalating crackdown on civil society and independent voices.

“The verdict is a major shock, and it is part of ​a broader effort to dismantle civil society groups and ​shift responsibility for the state’s failure to address the ⁠migrant issue onto these groups,” Mosbah’s lawyer, Hela Ben Salem, ​told Reuters.

Authorities last year ordered the suspension of the activities against ​prominent civil society groups such as the Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights and the Association of Democratic Women, both known for defending civil ​liberties, citing financial audits related to foreign funding.

Mosbah faced charges ​of money laundering and illicit enrichment. Her defense team said it plans ‌to ⁠appeal the ruling. Authorities did not immediately comment.

Mosbah has been detained since May 2024, alongside several other activists detained in a government crackdown on groups aiding migrants.

The case comes as Tunisia ​faces pressure over ​increased migration flows ⁠from across Africa in recent years, with the country becoming a key transit point for ​migrants seeking to reach Europe in recent years.

In ​response, authorities ⁠have tightened security measures and introduced stricter legal controls aimed at combating irregular migration networks. Thousands of migrants from African countries ⁠were deported ​to their home countries.

Rights groups warned ​that these measures risk further restricting humanitarian efforts and curtailing the space for ​independent advocacy in Tunisia.

–Reuters–