Archive · 23 Jan 2026
Tunisia Jails Journalists for 3.5 Years
Two journalists in Tunisia were sentenced to 3.5 years in prison.
The court said they did not pay their taxes, but their families say this is not true and that the journalists are being punished for their work.
The journalists, Bohran Bssaies and Mourad Zghidi, have been in jail since 2024.
Their families are very upset and plan to appeal the decision.
Some people believe the government is trying to silence those who speak out against it.
Tunisian court sentenced journalists Bohran Bssaies and Mourad Zghidi to 3.5 years in prison on tax evasion charges.
Journalists' families allege the charges are retaliatory for their independent journalism.
The journalists have been imprisoned since 2024, first under an eight-month sentence for spreading false news and insulting the president, then under pre-trial detention for the tax case.
Families plan to appeal the sentence, describing the charges as baseless and an attack on press freedom.
Critics say the government has been cracking down on dissent since President Kais Saied began ruling by decree in 2021.
- Who
- Journalists Bohran Bssaies and Mourad Zghidi
- What
- Sentenced to 3.5 years in prison on tax evasion charges
- When
- January 22, 2024
- Where
- Tunisia
- Why
- Charges include spreading false news and insulting the president, with critics alleging retaliation for independent journalism
- Journalists
- Bohran Bssaies, Mourad Zghidi
- Sentence
- 3.5 years in prison
- Charges
- Tax evasion, spreading false news, insulting the president
- Date of Sentencing
- January 22, 2024
- Appeal
- Families plan to appeal
- President
- Kais Saied
- Media Outlet
- IFM (local radio)