Tunisian man sentenced to death for Facebook posts criticising president

A recent court decision in Tunisia has resulted in a death sentence for Saber Chouchane, a 56-year-old laborer, due to his critical posts on Facebook regarding President Kaïs Saied. This ruling marks a significant development in Tunisia's legal system.

Saber Chouchane utilized a Facebook account under the name "Kaïs le misérable" to voice criticisms of President Saied, call for protests, and share caricatures. These actions led to the unprecedented sentencing.

The ruling has highlighted the ongoing restrictions on freedom of speech and democratic rights in Tunisia, as President Saied has increased his control over the political landscape. While death sentences have been issued in Tunisia previously, they have not been executed in decades.

Chouchane's legal team has appealed the decision, and the ruling has elicited significant reactions within Tunisia, characterized by widespread astonishment and concern. The situation continues to unfold as legal proceedings progress.

Based on reporting by Africanews.