Tunis, 08 May (H.S.): A Tunisian court sentenced prominent journalist Zied Heni to one year in prison for criticizing the judiciary. This verdict has intensified debates on freedom of expression and press freedom in the country.

Heni was taken into custody last month after publishing an article criticizing a judicial decision. His lawyer, Nafaa Laaribi, described the court's ruling as harsh and stated it further strengthens growing restrictions on free expression in Tunisia.

A day before the sentencing, Heni released a letter from prison through his family. In it, he declared he would not appeal any decision in this case, as he does not consider the trial legitimate. He accused authorities of violating his rights.

Human rights organizations and journalists' groups assert that pressure on independent voices has steadily increased since President Kais Saied's centralization of power. In 2021, President Saied dissolved the elected parliament and began governing by decree.

Subsequently, in 2022, he disbanded the Supreme Judicial Council and removed several judges from their positions. Opposition parties then alleged this weakened judicial independence.

President Saied has consistently rejected these accusations, maintaining he acted against corruption in the judiciary and that freedoms remain fully protected in the country.

Notably, following the 2011 popular uprising in Tunisia—which sparked the Arab Spring—there was significant expansion in freedom of expression. However, recent arrests of opposition leaders, journalists, activists, and businessmen have raised serious concerns about the state of democratic institutions.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar