Tunis court delays Mohamed Boughalleb trial to July

The Tunis Court of First Instance has postponed the trial of prominent journalist Mohamed Boughalleb to July 10, Tunisie Numérique reported on June 23rd.

Boughalleb appeared before the Criminal Chamber on the morning of June 23rd, following renewed accusations of insulting a public official in a social media post. The case emerged from a complaint filed by a university professor, who alleges that the journalist published a Facebook post insulting her, according to Erem News.

A warrant for his arrest was issued on April 5th by an investigating judge under Article 24 of Decree No. 54, which governs cybercrime-related offenses.

The court has not yet ruled on the merits of the charge. If convicted, he could face prison time. The upcoming hearing is scheduled for July 10th.

Critics argue the decree No. 54 has been increasingly used to target journalists, as Tunisia faces growing scrutiny over freedom of expression under President Kais Saied.

Rights groups, including Human Rights Watch, have argued that it is increasingly being used “to stifle and intimidate a wide range of critics”, France 24 via AFP reported.

Boughalleb, a prominent media figure in Tunisia, has previously faced pressure for his critical commentary on government officials. He was also sentenced to six months in prison by a Tunisian court on April 17th 2024 under the same decree. According to AFP, his arrest came after he used social media and private radio to insult the “honour and reputation” of a Tunisian Ministry of religious affairs worker

He was released on February 20th, 2025 after the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights urged Tunis to end the arrests and arbitrary detentions of journalists, humans rights defenders, lawyers, and politicians, according to Reuters.

Tunisie Numérique, Erem News, France24 via AFP, Reuters