human rights defender
Chaima Issa
Actions and Campaigns
© Noureddine Ahmed
HRD's year of birth
1979
HRD's Gender
Woman
Type of HRD
- Other
HRD's thematic area of engagement
- Civil and political rights
HRD's geographical origin
Urban
Current Status
In prison (sentenced)
HRD's bio and work
Chaima Issa, born in 1979 in Tunisia, is a journalist, writer, and political activist. She is a member of the National Salvation Front and is known for her outspoken opposition to President Kais Saied and her criticism of his policies.
Detained since
Nov 29, 2025
Charge(s)
- Anti-government propaganda
- Defamation
- Spreading fake news
- Terrorism
- Threatening national security
Sentence
On 28 November 2025, Chaima Issa was sentenced on appeal to 20 years' imprisonment, a fine of 50,000 Tunisian dinars (TND), and the confiscation of her assets in the politically motivated case known as the "conspiracy against State security" case. This ruling followed a first-instance judgment sentencing her to 18 years' imprisonment issued on 19 April 2025.
Latitude: 36.8035052
Longitude: 10.0947888
Geolocation of detention
Country or area of detention
Region of detention
- Africa: Northern Africa
Location of detention - City/Town
Tunis
Location of detention - Facility
Manouba Women's Prison
Recent case update / evolution
Chaima Issa was initially prosecuted before the Military Court on charges of "inciting the army to disobey orders," "committing an outrage against the President of the Republic" under Article 67 of the Criminal Code, and "disseminating false news" under Decree-Law No. 54 of 2022 on combating offences relating to information and communication systems. The charges stemmed from statements she made during a radio interview criticizing the performance of President Kaïs Saïed.
On 12 December 2023, the Military Court sentenced her to one year's imprisonment, suspended. On appeal, the sentence was reduced to six months' imprisonment, suspended.
Separately, Chaima Issa was placed in pretrial detention on 25 February 2023 and remained in custody for nearly five months before being released on 13 July 2023 in connection with the politically motivated case publicly known as the "conspiracy against State security" case.
On 19 April 2025, the Criminal Chamber specialized in terrorism cases at the Court of First Instance of Tunis sentenced her to 18 years' imprisonment in the same case. She appealed the judgment and remained at liberty pending the appeal proceedings.
On 28 November 2025, the Criminal Chamber specialized in terrorism cases at the Tunis Court of Appeal increased her sentence to 20 years' imprisonment and imposed a fine of 50,000 Tunisian dinars (TND), in addition to ordering the confiscation of her assets.
The following day, on 29 November 2025, Chaima Issa was arrested by plainclothes officers while participating in a feminist demonstration. She was taken away in an unmarked civilian vehicle.
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