A Tunisian court sentenced a man to death for Facebook posts criticizing President Kais Saied on Wednesday. Saber Chouchane, a 56-year-old day laborer, was convicted of insulting the president and threatening state security through social media activity. His attorney filed an appeal after the Nabeul court issued the verdict on Oct. 2.
The ruling represents the first death penalty imposed for online speech in Tunisia, though the nation has not executed anyone since 1991. Authorities arrested Chouchane in January 2024, and he remained in pretrial detention before his conviction. His lawyer described him as an impoverished father of three who posted about difficult living conditions.
President Saied dissolved parliament and assumed broad powers in 2021, prompting criticism about democratic erosion. The government prosecuted Chouchane under a 2022 cybercrime decree that rights groups say restricts free expression. His family expressed shock at the sentence and described their financial struggles.
The ruling represents the first death penalty imposed for online speech in Tunisia, though the nation has not executed anyone since 1991. Authorities arrested Chouchane in January 2024, and he remained in pretrial detention before his conviction. His lawyer described him as an impoverished father of three who posted about difficult living conditions.
President Saied dissolved parliament and assumed broad powers in 2021, prompting criticism about democratic erosion. The government prosecuted Chouchane under a 2022 cybercrime decree that rights groups say restricts free expression. His family expressed shock at the sentence and described their financial struggles.
