A Tunisian court has sentenced 56-year-old day labourer Saber Chouchane to death for allegedly insulting President Kais Saied and endangering state security through posts on Facebook — a ruling that has triggered outrage and condemnation from human rights groups.
Chouchane, who was arrested last year after publishing online criticisms of the president, was found guilty by a court in Nabeul. His lawyer, Oussama Bouthalja, described the decision as “shocking and unprecedented,” noting that no one in Tunisia had ever received a death sentence for social media posts.
“The judge in the Nabeul court sentenced the man to death over Facebook posts. It is a shocking and unprecedented ruling,” Bouthalja said.
Although Tunisia continues to issue death sentences, no executions have been carried out in more than 30 years. An appeal has already been filed.
Chouchane’s brother, Jamal, expressed disbelief at the verdict, saying, “We can’t believe it. We are a family suffering from poverty, and now oppression and injustice have been added to poverty.”
The judgment has sparked a wave of outrage on social media and across Tunisia, with activists accusing the authorities of weaponizing the justice system to suppress dissent. Critics warn the ruling could worsen political unrest and further restrict freedom of expression in the country.
Since dissolving parliament and ruling by decree in 2021, President Saied has faced growing criticism from opposition figures and rights organizations. Many of his opponents remain behind bars after being branded “traitors” by the president.
While Chouchane’s execution is unlikely to be carried out, the case has ignited intense national and international debate over Tunisia’s human rights record, judicial independence, and the shrinking space for online expression.
