Two well-known columnists in Tunisia, who were prosecuted under a law on “false information” for having criticized the power of President Kaïs Saïed, were sentenced on Wednesday May 22 to one year in prison each.
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Borhen Bssais, a famous private media presenter, and Mourad Zeghidi, a political commentator, received six months for disseminating “false news” in the media and social networks, and another six months for “false statements with the aim of defame others,” the spokesperson for the Tunis court of first instance, Mohamed Zitouna, told AFP.
During their trial during the day, they invoked freedom of expression, explaining that they had only done their job, analyzing and commenting on political and socio-economic news in the country, according to an AFP journalist. present in the room. They were arrested on May 11 for statements in radio and television programs as well as publications on social networks, considered critical of the power of President Saied.
Prosecutions had been initiated against them under Decree-Law 54, promulgated in 2022 by Mr. Saïed, officially to fight against the dissemination of “false news” but criticized for a very broad interpretation. Their lawyers requested a dismissal of the case during the trial.
“ My job as a political analyst requires me to speak about public affairs (…) I want to know what phrase or word has been judged to violate the Penal Code “, declared Mr. Zeghidi, according to an AFP journalist in the room.
Mr. Zeghidi was criticized for statements dating from February 2024 and a publication supporting an imprisoned journalist, critical of President Mr. Saïed. President Saïed, elected in 2019 for a five-year term expiring this fall, granted himself full powers in a coup in the summer of 2021.
“When politics enters the courts, justice comes out”
“ I am neither an opponent nor a supporter of the president. Sometimes I support their choices and sometimes I criticize them, that’s part of my job », Explained Mr. Zeghidi, addressing the president of the court. “ When politics enters the courts, justice leaves », insisted her lawyer Kamel Massoud, calling on the president to demonstrate independence in a country where opponents and jurists have denounced a placing under supervision of the justice system.
Borhen Bssais was appearing for “attacking President Kaïs Saïed through radio broadcasts and statements” on the internet between 2019 and 2022. “ I am a presenter, therefore, I must present all opinions whatever their orientations “, he said, believing he had been arrested “ like a dangerous criminal “. “ An entire people is being prosecuted under Decree-Law 54 “, denounced his lawyer Khaled Krichi in his pleading.
Their arrest coincided with the violent arrest on May 11 of thelawyer Sonia Dahmani, also a columnist, prosecuted in the name of the same decree 54. On May 13, it was the turn of another lawyer Mehdi Zagrouba to be arrested in the premises of the Tunis bar. These arrests were added to those of activists from migrant aid associations in the previous days.