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May 09, 2026 – Tunisia –
A Tunisian court has sentenced journalist Zied El Heni to one year in prison, a ruling that has drawn criticism from press freedom advocates who warn of increasing legal pressure on journalists and tightening restrictions on public expression in the country.
According to reports from Reuters and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), the verdict was issued on May 7, 2026, by a Tunis court after El Heni was prosecuted over statements and writings in which he criticized judicial decisions and referred to some judges in strongly worded terms. Authorities argued that his comments amounted to offences committed through public communication networks.
El Heni, a well-known journalist and editor-in-chief of the independent outlet Tunisian Press, had been detained weeks earlier after responding to a judicial summons. He was subsequently placed in pretrial detention, where he launched a hunger strike in protest of his arrest, according to CPJ reporting.
The case stems from a series of social media posts and public commentary in which El Heni criticized judicial rulings involving other journalists. Prosecutors argued that his statements violated provisions of Tunisia’s telecommunications and penal codes, which they said prohibit insulting or defaming individuals through digital platforms.
Press freedom organizations, including CPJ, have condemned the sentence, describing it as part of a broader pattern of legal harassment against journalists in Tunisia. They argue that vaguely defined laws governing online expression are increasingly being used to criminalize critical reporting and commentary on public institutions.
The Tunisian Journalists’ Union also criticized the ruling, warning that it reflects a worsening environment for media workers, particularly those who challenge judicial or political authority. Observers note that several other journalists have faced similar prosecutions in recent years, contributing to concerns about shrinking space for independent journalism.
El Heni has previously faced multiple arrests and suspended sentences related to his media appearances and online commentary, highlighting what rights groups describe as a sustained pattern of judicial pressure on critical voices in Tunisia.
The sentencing is expected to intensify debate over press freedom in the country, where journalists continue to face legal risks for public criticism of state institutions and officials.
Reference –
https://www.newarab.com/news/prominent-tunisian-journalist-sentenced-year-jail
Tunisia court sentences journalist Zied el-Heni to 1 year in prison
