Tunisia Releases Journalist Amid International Pressure
In a significant development, Tunisian authorities released prominent journalist Mohamed Boughalleb on Thursday, a vocal critic of President Kais Saied, according to his lawyer. Boughalleb’s release has sparked hope among opposition groups that other jailed political and media figures may also be freed.
The move comes just a day after the release of Sihem Ben Sedrine, a veteran politician and head of the Truth and Dignity Commission, who had been detained for months. Former minister Riadh Mouakhar was also freed on Thursday, marking a notable shift in Tunisia’s approach to its detained opposition figures.
These releases follow a recent call by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, urging Tunisia to halt the arrests, arbitrary detentions, and imprisonment of human rights defenders, lawyers, journalists, and politicians. The UN’s statement highlighted growing international concern over the country’s human rights record under President Saied’s administration.
Despite these releases, dozens of senior politicians remain behind bars, including Abir Moussi, leader of the Free Constitutional Party, and Rached Ghannouchi, head of the Ennahda party—two of Saied’s most prominent opponents. Both have been detained since 2023, as part of what critics describe as a broader crackdown on dissent.
Boughalleb, a well-known journalist, was imprisoned last year on charges of insulting a public official. The Tunisian journalists’ union condemned his arrest, calling it an attempt to silence critical voices in the media. His release has been welcomed by press freedom advocates, but concerns remain over the broader state of media freedom in Tunisia.
Since President Saied’s consolidation of power in 2021—when he dissolved the elected parliament and began ruling by decree—Tunisia’s democratic gains have faced significant challenges. Saied’s subsequent assumption of authority over the judiciary has further raised alarms about the erosion of checks and balances in the country. Saied was re-elected last year in a heavily criticized election.
