Tunisian blogger and political activist Hajer Awadi, arrested on January 23, 2026, is serving a 26-month prison sentence over a social media post. She reports on corruption and human rights issues on her Facebook page, which has around 15,000 followers.
On January 23, 2026, authorities arrested Awadi from her home in Tunis, over a Facebook live video she published following a security operation the same month in Majel Bel Abbes, Kasserine governorate, in which authorities said they killed four people they described as members of a terrorist cell. The live video has since become unavailable. On January 29, 2026, the Judicial Counter-Terrorism Pole ordered her detention and transfer to Manouba women’s prison.
On September 30, 2026, the misdemeanor chamber of the Tunis Court of First Instance sentenced Awadi to a total of 26 months in prison: eight months for praising and glorifying terrorism, one year for inciting hatred, and six months for making threats. Awadi’s lawyer appealed the sentence, a source close to the case told CPJ.
Awadi was previously arrested on April 12, 2020, after posting a Facebook video, which has since become unavailable, alleging government corruption and poor distribution of basic food supplies during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as police mistreatment. She was charged with insulting a civil servant and disturbing the public. On April 20, 2020, she was released after receiving a 75-day suspended prison sentence, according to the source.
CPJ emailed the Tunisian presidency for comment but did not receive a response.