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A Tunisian court on Tuesday ordered the release of a man who had been sentenced to death just a week earlier for Facebook posts criticising the president, following widespread outrage and human rights concerns.
The earlier verdict was seen as unprecedented in Tunisia, where freedom of expression has come under increasing pressure since President Kais Saied took power in 2021.
Lawyer Oussama Bouthelja confirmed the release of his client, 56-year-old Saber Chouchane. His brother, Jamal Chouchane, also said he had been freed but did not provide further details.
Chouchane had been arrested last year over his social media posts.
Civil society groups and activists described last week’s death sentence as shocking, sparking a wave of condemnation and mockery across social media from both activists and ordinary Tunisians.
Since Saied dissolved the elected parliament four years ago and began ruling by decree, Tunisia has faced mounting criticism from human rights organisations over the decline of judicial independence and democratic freedoms.
