Tunisia jails 10 activists over 2020 anti-pollution protests in Gabes

A Tunisian court has sentenced ten environmental activists for their participation in 2020 protests against pollution from a major phosphate-processing plant in the southern city of Gabes.

Eight activists received six-month suspended prison sentences, while two were given one-year jail terms, according to their defence lawyer Hamida Chaieb. The state-owned factory accused the protesters of obstructing its operations.

The activists believed the case had been dropped after their initial arrests and release, but later learned they had been sentenced in absentia in 2023, leading to a retrial.

The phosphate plant has been linked to environmental pollution and health risks, with researchers reporting radioactive substances in its waste and emissions. Despite this, a court rejected calls in February to suspend the facility’s operations.

Tunisia plans to increase phosphate production more than fourfold by 2030, as President Kais Saied aims to revive this key sector of the national economy.