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In a significant turn of events, Tunisian authorities have released Saber Ben Chouchane, a man previously handed the death penalty for online posts that were deemed insulting to President Kais Saied and other state officials. His release follows a presidential pardon, a move that comes amid growing international condemnation over restrictions on free expression in the North African nation.
Ben Chouchane was freed late Monday and reunited with his family, according to his attorney Oussama Bouthelja. The announcement was confirmed by human rights organizations and family members who described the pardon as a relief following months of legal battles and global outcry.
Background of the Case
Ben Chouchane was arrested in January 2024 and later sentenced to death by a court in Nabeul, a city east of the capital, Tunis. He was accused of insulting the president, criticizing the judiciary, and spreading false information through Facebook posts. Authorities also claimed that some of his statements amounted to incitement under Tunisia’s controversial cybercrime laws.
His defense team initially filed an appeal to challenge the ruling but later withdrew it, paving the way for a presidential pardon to take effect. Bouthelja said he was “shocked” by the original verdict, calling it an excessive punishment for expressing opinions online.
Human Rights Groups Condemn Verdict
The ruling sparked a strong backlash from local and international human rights advocates, who viewed it as a troubling sign of escalating repression under President Saied’s administration.
Amnesty International described the death sentence as “an alarming attack on human rights and a blatant attempt to silence dissent.”
Regional Director Heba Morayef criticized the government’s use of capital punishment as a “tool to intimidate critics and erode freedom of expression.”
Similarly, the Tunisian League for Human Rights (CRLDHT) warned that the case set a “dangerous precedent”, arguing that Tunisia had reached “unprecedented levels of human rights violations” since Saied consolidated power.
Concerns Over Democratic Decline
Since assuming office in 2019, President Kais Saied has taken sweeping steps to expand executive authority. In 2021, he dissolved the elected parliament and began ruling by decree, drawing criticism from opposition figures and civil society organizations who accuse him of undermining democracy and judicial independence.
Particularly controversial is a 2022 law criminalizing the spread of so-called “false news,” which critics argue has been used to target journalists, activists, and opposition members. Dozens of individuals have been detained or prosecuted under this decree, sparking concerns over the country’s commitment to democratic values and freedom of speech.
Broader Implications
The case of Saber Ben Chouchane underscores Tunisia’s widening crackdown on dissent and highlights the tension between state authority and individual rights. While the presidential pardon has been welcomed as a positive step, advocates stress that it does not address the broader issues of censorship and judicial overreach.
Human rights organizations continue to call for the repeal of restrictive laws and urge Tunisian authorities to respect international standards protecting freedom of expression.