Tunisian Journalist Sentenced to Four More Years in Prison on Terrorism Charges
Zied el-Heni Convicted Over Case Linked to Leaked Audio Recordings as Press Freedom Groups Condemn Ruling
TUNIS, Tunisia — A Tunisian court has sentenced jailed independent journalist Zied el-Heni to an additional four years in prison on terrorism-related charges, raising concerns among press freedom advocates over the treatment of government critics in the North African country.
El-Heni, a vocal critic of President Kais Saied, was previously sentenced to one year in prison in May over remarks concerning press freedom. The latest case stems from his request to verify leaked audio recordings attributed to Mondher Lounissi, a former interim leader of the opposition Ennahdha movement.
According to his lawyer, the charges included allegedly forming a terrorist organisation and failing to report a terrorist offence. El-Heni reportedly refused to surrender his mobile phone without a warrant, citing the need to protect his journalistic sources. Lounissi was also sentenced to nine years in prison in the same case, although the contents of the recordings remained unclear.
International journalism organisations have condemned the ruling, describing it as an escalation of pressure on the media. The case comes amid a wider crackdown on President Saied’s critics, with dozens reportedly behind bars following his consolidation of power in 2021.
