Tunisia /Two columnists sentenced for criticizing the government

Two famous Tunisian columnists, Borhen Bssais and Mourad Zeghidi, were sentenced to one year in prison for criticizing President Kaïs Saïed. The Tunis court of first instance found them guilty of disseminating false news and defamatory statements on social networks and in the media. They invoked freedom of expression during their trial, simply claiming to be fulfilling their duty of political analysis. 

The prosecutions against Bssais and Zeghidi took place within the framework of Decree-Law 54 of 2022, promulgated by Saïed to combat the spread of false information. Their lawyers argued for a dismissal of the case, denouncing increasing supervision over the justice system. The case is part of a broader crackdown targeting government critics, including lawyers and human rights activists. 

The convictions of Bssais and Zeghidi sparked a strong reaction among human rights defenders and journalists in Tunisia, who accuse President Saïed of reducing the democratic space in the country.