A Tunisian court has handed down a death sentence to 56-year-old Saber Chouchane for allegedly insulting President Kais Saied and threatening state security through Facebook posts.
The ruling, delivered by a court in Nabeul, has been described by human rights groups and his lawyer as “shocking and unprecedented,” igniting outrage across the country and on social media. Eyes Of Lagos reports,
Chouchane, a day labourer with little formal education, was arrested in 2024 after repeatedly criticising President Saied online. His lawyer, Oussama Bouthalja, confirmed the sentence:
“The judge in the Nabeul court sentenced the man to death over Facebook posts. It is a shocking and unprecedented ruling.”
Poverty, oppression, and outrage
Chouchane’s brother, Jamal, said the family was devastated:
“We can’t believe it. We are a family suffering from poverty, and now oppression and injustice have been added to poverty.”
Tunisia has not carried out an execution in over 30 years, though courts occasionally hand down death sentences. An appeal has already been filed on Chouchane’s behalf.
Fear of silencing dissent
The ruling has raised fears of shrinking freedoms in Tunisia, where President Saied dissolved parliament in 2021 and has since ruled by decree. Opposition leaders and activists accuse him of jailing critics under the guise of national security.
Rights groups warn the sentence could escalate political tensions and set a dangerous precedent for freedom of expression in the country.
The case has now drawn international attention, with many urging Tunisia to uphold its moratorium on executions and protect the right to free speech.
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