Tunisian Sentenced to Death for Facebook Criticism of President Kais Saied

In an unprecedented judicial decision, a Tunisian court in Nabeul sentenced 51-year-old day labourer Saber Chouchane to death for Facebook posts deemed offensive to President Kais Saied, the minister of justice, and the judiciary. The ruling was announced on Wednesday and involves charges including spreading false news, insult, and incitement, according to Chouchane’s defence lawyer, Oussama Bouthelja. An appeal has already been filed against the verdict.

Chouchane, who has limited formal education and was arrested in early 2024, published criticism of Saied and other government figures on social media, which the court found sufficiently threatening to state security and public order. The exact content of his Facebook posts remains unclear, as the court’s spokesperson was unavailable for comment.

The death sentence represents a shocking escalation in Tunisia’s crackdown on dissent under President Saied, following his 2021 assumption of sweeping executive powers that dismantled the elected parliament and restricted freedoms. Although death sentences have been issued by Tunisian courts in the past, executions have not been carried out in over 30 years, amplifying the extraordinary nature of this case.

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Chouchane’s family expressed disbelief and dismay at the ruling. His brother Jamal lamented, “We are a family suffering from poverty, and now oppression and injustice have been added to our burden.” Human rights groups have condemned the sentence as disproportionate and a dangerous precedent for freedom of expression.

The sentencing has triggered widespread outrage across Tunisia’s social media platforms and human rights circles, raising fears that the government is using judicial powers to silence opposition voices through fear and intimidation. Since the president’s controversial consolidation of power, several political leaders and activists have been detained and labelled “traitors,” with many facing similar charges.

This case further exemplifies the shrinking civic space in Tunisia amid Decree-Law 2022-54 on Cybercrime, which critics say enables the government to suppress free speech under the guise of protecting national security. As Tunisia approaches its next presidential election, the death sentence against Saber Chouchane casts a dark shadow over the country’s democratic prospects and commitment to human rights.

International rights organizations call for the immediate release of political prisoners and urge Tunisia to uphold fundamental freedoms, warning that such severe repression risks deepening political polarization and undermining the hopes of the Arab Spring revolution.