Tunisia judges uphold prison sentences for journalists

What's happened

An appeals court in Tunisia has upheld three-and-a-half-year prison sentences for journalists Mourad Zeghidi and Borhen Bsaies on money-laundering and tax-evasion charges. Rights groups call the case judicial harassment, while other journalists face ongoing prosecutions under the Saied era.

What's behind the headline?

Analysis

The ruling is part of a broader pattern of tightening controls on media and civil society in Tunisia.
RSF has called the charges unfounded and framed the case as harassment that targets journalistic activity.
The UN rights chief has highlighted the wider repression, including arrests of opposition figures and critics.
This dynamic will likely fuel international concern and could affect Tunisia’s reputation for reform, while potentially increasing pressures on the judiciary and media freedom.

Brief:

The appeals court has maintained the prison sentences; defence lawyers say there is a lack of credible evidence.
Critics argue the cases are used to silence independent reporting, especially against figures critical of President Saied.

How we got here

The sentences follow a 2021 power consolidation by President Kais Saied and a broader crackdown on dissent. Rights groups say the judiciary is under pressure and that independent journalists and civil society are increasingly targeted since then.

Our analysis

The New Arab reports on the appeals ruling and RSF's reaction; Reuters provides context on related cases and official statements; The New Arab (earlier) notes UN rights chief concerns about repression in Tunisia.

Go deeper

Will these sentences affect Tunisia's international relationships?
What other journalists are facing charges in Tunisia?
How might Tunisian authorities respond to ongoing criticism?