A Tunisian man who faced a death sentence for criticizing President Kais Saied online has been pardoned, but the chilling precedent remains. Saber Ben Chouchane, 51, was convicted under Tunisia’s controversial 2022 cybercrime law, Decree 54, which criminalizes so-called “false news” and insults toward public officials. His alleged offense? Posting comments about the president and judiciary on Facebook—posts that were never made public. The case sent shockwaves across Tunisia, where executions haven’t been carried out in more than 30 years, marking an alarming escalation in the government’s war on dissent.

Following global backlash and pressure from human rights groups, Ben Chouchane was pardoned after withdrawing his appeal. Yet, the damage was done—his case exposed how Tunisia’s leadership is weaponizing Decree 54 to silence critics and muzzle free expression. Once hailed as a democratic success story after the Arab Spring, Tunisia has rapidly descended into digital authoritarianism. Courtrooms now serve as political stages, where journalists, activists, and everyday citizens risk their freedom—or their lives—for daring to speak truth to power.

SOURCE: Reclaim the Net