Tunis — October 2, 2025
A Tunisian court has handed down a death sentence to a man accused of using Facebook to criticise President Kais Saied and state security institutions, sparking outrage among human rights advocates and free speech activists worldwide.
The Case
According to local reports, the man, whose name has not yet been publicly released for security reasons, was arrested earlier this year after posting several critical comments on social media. Prosecutors alleged that his remarks amounted to “acts of treason” and “undermining state security.”
Despite calls from his lawyers and civil society groups that his posts were merely an expression of opinion protected under international human rights law, the court proceeded with the harsh ruling.
Reaction From Rights Groups
Human rights organisations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have condemned the verdict, calling it a “gross violation of free expression.”
One activist in Tunis said:
“If criticising the president online is punishable by death, then Tunisia has taken a dark and dangerous step backward from democracy.”
Tunisia’s Political Climate
Since President Saied seized wide-ranging powers in 2021, Tunisia — once seen as the only success story of the Arab Spring — has faced mounting criticism for its authoritarian turn. Critics argue that the government is increasingly silencing dissent through arrests, censorship, and intimidation.
Observers warn that this latest ruling sends a chilling message to Tunisians who rely on social media as one of the last outlets for open political discussion.
International Concerns
The European Union, the United Nations, and various diplomatic missions are expected to pressure Tunisia over the sentencing. Analysts note that Tunisia, already struggling with economic and political instability, risks further isolation if it continues on this path.
A Symbolic Case?
Many fear the ruling is intended not only as punishment but also as an example to silence others. With youth unemployment high and public discontent growing, social media has become a space where criticism of the government flourishes — and this case could change that drastically.
The Bigger Picture
The sentencing highlights the fragile state of freedom in Tunisia just over a decade after its people sparked revolutions across the Arab world in the name of democracy and justice.
What was once a beacon of hope for North Africa is now raising questions about whether the Arab Spring’s last flame has finally been extinguished.
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