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April 30, 2026 – Tunisia –
A Tunisian court has refused to grant provisional release to two imprisoned journalists, extending their pretrial detention and adding to growing concerns over the treatment of media professionals in the country amid an ongoing crackdown on dissent.
The Court of Appeal in Tunis rejected a defence request for the temporary release of journalists Mourad Zeghidi and Borhen Bsaies, who are currently serving sentences linked to financial charges, including tax evasion and money laundering. Their appeal trial has been postponed, with the next hearing scheduled for May 12, 2026.
The two journalists were initially detained in May 2024 after making public statements critical of President Kais Saied’s government. They were later convicted in January 2026 and sentenced to three and a half years in prison. Despite earlier expectations that they could be released in early 2025, they remained in custody following additional charges that extended their detention.
Their lawyers had requested provisional release while the appeal process continues, arguing for better conditions for preparing their defence. However, the court declined this request while agreeing to delay proceedings, a decision that rights groups say prolongs their incarceration without resolving the substantive appeal.
Press freedom organisations, including Reporters Without Borders, have described the case as part of what they call “judicial harassment” targeting journalists in Tunisia. They argue that the charges are being used to penalise critical reporting rather than address genuine financial wrongdoing.
The ruling comes amid a broader pattern of tightening restrictions on media and civil society in Tunisia since President Kais Saied consolidated executive power in 2021. Human rights groups have documented a rise in arrests, prosecutions, and pretrial detentions involving journalists, commentators, and opposition figures, often under financial or cybercrime laws.
In parallel cases, other journalists in Tunisia have also faced detention or legal action over social media posts or critical commentary, reinforcing concerns about shrinking space for independent reporting.
Observers say the cumulative effect of these measures is a chilling environment for journalism, where legal mechanisms are increasingly viewed as tools to deter criticism of state institutions and public officials.
The case of Zeghidi and Bsaies remains ongoing, with the upcoming appeal hearing expected to be closely watched by local and international rights groups monitoring press freedom conditions in Tunisia.
Reference –
https://www.newarab.com/news/tunisia-court-rejects-provisional-release-two-journalists
