11 February 2026
The undersigned organisations strongly condemn the arbitrary arrest and subsequent conviction of Tunisian lawyer Ahmed Souab and call for his immediate release and measures to ensure the conviction is set aside, ahead of the second hearing in his appeal. His prosecution and sentencing constitute a grave violation of his right to freedom of expression and to carry out his professional duties without intimidation or reprisal.Joi
A former judge of the Tunis Administrative Court, Ahmed Souab is a prominent lawyer and human rights defender and one of Tunisia’s most respected jurists and legal minds known for his outspoken defence of fair trials and judicial independence. In 2025, he received the Ebru Timtik Award for his outstanding commitment and sacrifice for fair trial rights and was described by the independent jury as “a man whose entire career has been devoted to the fight for justice and the protection of human rights”.[1]
[1] See International Fair Trial Day and Ebru Timtik Award 2025 – Tunisia Edition Report, p.19. https://iftd.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Report_of_International_Fair_Trial_Day_-2025.pdf