A Tunisian court has handed a death sentence to a 56-year-old man for allegedly insulting President Kais Saied and undermining state security through Facebook posts, a decision that has caused shock across the country and raised fresh fears over shrinking freedoms.
Saber Chouchane, a day labourer with little formal education, was convicted by a court in Nabeul after posting messages critical of the president on social media last year, his lawyer Oussama Bouthalja said on Friday.
“The judge in the Nabeul court sentenced the man to death over Facebook posts. It is a shocking and unprecedented ruling,” Bouthalja told Reuters.
The lawyer confirmed that the judgment has been challenged and an appeal has already been lodged. The justice ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Tunisia has issued death sentences in the past, but none have been enforced for more than 30 years. Rights defenders say this is the first time such a penalty has been imposed over online criticism of the president.
Jamal Chouchane, the man’s brother, expressed disbelief at the verdict, describing the family’s situation as desperate.
“We can’t believe it. We are a family suffering from poverty, and now oppression and injustice have been added to poverty,” he said by phone.
The ruling quickly drew widespread outrage and mockery on social media, where activists and citizens accused authorities of using harsh punishments to silence dissent.
Many warned that such measures could further weaken freedom of expression and heighten political tensions.
Tunisia’s human rights landscape has deteriorated sharply since 2021, when President Saied dissolved parliament and began ruling by decree. His critics have accused him of undermining judicial independence and rolling back democratic gains made after the 2011 revolution.
Opposition groups have repeatedly condemned his actions as a coup. Many of their leaders, whom Saied has branded as traitors, remain in detention on various charges.