Tunis: Tunisia's top court has upheld prison sentences of up to 45 years for opposition leaders, lawyers, and businessmen convicted in a major conspiracy case, a ruling that opponents claim further entrenches President Kais Saied's authoritarian rule. According to France24.com, Tunisia's Cassation Court confirmed the sentences, which were imposed on charges of conspiracy, as shared by the lawyers and families of the accused. The court's decision marks the final stage of a three-year legal process, with no further room for appeal. Critics of the ruling argue that it reinforces President Saied's grip on power, undermining the independence of the judiciary. The trial involved 40 individuals accused of conspiring to overthrow the president, with 20 of them having fled abroad and subsequently sentenced in absentia. Lawyer Haifa Chebbi, the daughter of prominent opposition figure Nejib Chebbi, who received a 12-year sentence, criticized the ruling, asserting, "The ruling confirms that the judiciary is not indepe ndent. Opponents entered prison by political decision and will leave when Saied falls." Despite these criticisms, President Saied has maintained that the judiciary operates independently, declaring in 2023 that the politicians were "traitors and terrorists" and labeling judges who might acquit them as accomplices. Tunisia's justice minister echoed these sentiments, stating that the defendants aimed to destabilize the country and overthrow the president. Rights groups have expressed concern over President Saied's influence over the judiciary, which has been evident since his suspension of parliament and assumption of extraordinary powers in 2021. His actions included ruling by decree, dissolving the independent Supreme Judicial Council, and dismissing dozens of judges in 2022. Among the prominent opposition figures sentenced were Ghazi Chaouachi, Issam Chebbi, Jawhar Ben Mbarek, and Ridha Belhaj, each receiving 20-year prison terms, while politician Noureddine Bhiri was sentenced to 10 years.