A member of Tunisia’s parliament has been sentenced to eight months in prison after being found guilty over social media posts that authorities say mocked and insulted the country’s president.
The ruling, delivered by a Tunisian court this week, marks the latest in a series of legal actions targeting opposition figures and critics of President Kais Saied. Prosecutors argued that the lawmaker’s online comments crossed the line into defamation and undermined state institutions. The court agreed, handing down a custodial sentence that has sparked renewed debate about freedom of expression in the North African nation.
Supporters of the MP have condemned the verdict, describing it as politically motivated and part of a broader crackdown on dissent. They argue that the posts in question constituted legitimate political criticism and satire, which should be protected in a democratic society. Human rights advocates have also raised concerns about the increasing use of criminal charges against politicians, journalists and activists who speak out against the government.
Since President Saied consolidated power in 2021 — dissolving parliament and later overseeing constitutional changes that expanded presidential authority — critics say Tunisia has witnessed a steady erosion of democratic gains achieved after the 2011 revolution. Authorities, however, insist that legal measures are being applied in accordance with the law and are necessary to safeguard public order and the integrity of state institutions.
The jailed MP is expected to appeal the sentence, as political tensions continue to simmer in the country. The case is likely to intensify scrutiny of Tunisia’s human rights record and the shrinking space for political opposition.
