What's happened
Two Tunisian journalists, Mourad Zeghidi and Borhen Bsaies, have been sentenced to three and a half years in prison for charges linked to money laundering and tax evasion. Their detention follows a broader crackdown on opposition figures and media since President Kais Saied's power grab in 2021, with international rights groups condemning the repression.
What's behind the headline?
The crackdown on critics in Tunisia reflects a broader trend of authoritarian consolidation under President Kais Saied. The detention of Zeghidi and Bsaies exemplifies how legal tools are being used to silence dissent, especially against media and opposition figures. The broad interpretation of laws targeting 'fake news' and 'conspiracy' effectively criminalizes legitimate criticism, undermining democratic norms. This repression will likely deepen, further isolating Tunisia internationally and eroding civil liberties. The international community's response remains limited, and Tunisia's decline in press freedom signals a troubling shift away from democratic governance.
What the papers say
The New Arab reports that Zeghidi and Bsaies have been detained for nearly two years, with their sister highlighting their continued imprisonment despite scheduled release. Al Jazeera emphasizes the broader pattern of political persecution, citing RSF's condemnation of the case as 'legal persecution.' Both sources agree that the crackdown is part of a wider suppression of opposition since Saied's 2021 power grab, with numerous opposition figures and journalists facing harsh sentences or detention. The articles highlight the decline in Tunisia's press freedom and the use of broad legal measures to stifle dissent, illustrating a concerning regression in civil liberties under Saied's rule.
How we got here
Since President Kais Saied's 2021 power consolidation, Tunisia has seen a significant rollback of freedoms. The government has used broad legal measures, including a decree against 'fake news,' to prosecute opposition figures, journalists, and civil society activists. The country's press freedom has declined sharply, with Tunisia falling from 118th to 129th in RSF's index in 2025.
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