A prominent Tunisian attorney, Sonia Dahmani, has been sentenced to two years in prison. The sentence stems from her remarks regarding Tunisia’s treatment of sub-Saharan African migrants.
Dahmani was found guilty on Thursday of violating a law against spreading fake news. Critics argue that this statute is used by the Tunisian government to silence dissent against President Kais Saied.
Since taking office, Saied has targeted his opponents, labeling them as foreign agents. He frequently accuses critics of jeopardizing state security and public safety.
The controversial cybercrime law, known as Decree-Law 54, criminalizes the production and dissemination of false news. The law has been criticized for infringing on freedom of expression in Tunisia since its enactment in 2022.
Dahmani has faced multiple charges for her comments earlier this year. Her attorney, Sami Ben Ghazi, confirmed the ongoing legal battles against her. In May, she made sarcastic remarks about Tunisia’s economy on a private radio station.
During the broadcast, Dahmani highlighted the challenges faced by Black migrants in Tunisia. Following her comments, masked officers raided the bar association to arrest her.
Ben Ghazi condemned the sentence as unjust and indicative of government harassment against dissenters. Dahmani’s defense committee described her as a victim of injustice.
The crackdown on dissent intensified ahead of Tunisia’s presidential election on October 6, which Saied won with 90.7% of the vote. Several other critics, including fellow journalists, have also been sentenced under Decree-Law 54.
Human Rights Watch reported that the decree instills fear among government critics. Journalists’ organizations have condemned the restrictions placed on media freedom in Tunisia.
