Tunisia Slams Journalist With Four-Year Term

A Tunisian court sentenced jailed independent journalist Zied el-Heni to four years in prison on terrorism charges on Tuesday.

Heni, a prominent critic of President Kais Saied, previously received a one-year sentence in May over public comments defending press freedom in Tunisia.

Defence lawyer Yasmine Ben Brahim confirmed that the court convicted Heni on charges including “forming a terrorist group” and “failing to report a terrorist crime.”

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The case centres on leaked audio recordings attributed to Mondher Ounissi, former interim leader of the opposition movement Ennahdha, which Heni had covered as a reporter.

Investigators initially questioned Heni as a witness before prosecuting him alongside Ounissi, whom the court sentenced to nine years in prison.

Ben Brahim noted that judges also handed 25-year prison terms in absentia to other defendants in the case.

Tunisia slams journalist with four-year term (News Central TV) — Tunisia slams journalist with four-year term. Credit: MEO

The convictions follow a widespread government crackdown under President Saied, who seized broad executive powers in 2021.

Authorities have jailed dozens of political opponents and critics, including Ennahdha’s 85-year-old leader Rached Ghannouchi.

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Abisoye Adeyiga

Abisoye Adedoyin Adeyiga holds a PhD in Languages and Media Studies and a Master’s in Education (English Language). Trained in digital marketing and investigative journalism, she is passionate about new media’s transformative power. She enjoys reading, traveling, and meaningful conversations.