Tunisian journalist Mohamed Boughaleb is serving an eight-month prison sentence after he was convicted of defamation for his social media posts and statements on television and radio.
On March 22, 2024, Tunisian police arrested Boughaleb, a reporter with local independent television channel Carthage Plus and local independent radio station Cap FM, while he was picking up his nine-year-old son from school.
Boughaleb’s arrest followed a defamation complaint filed by an unnamed employee of the Ministry of Religious Affairs over Boughaleb’s commentary in social media posts and on radio and television regarding the ministry’s policies and visits abroad.
On April 18, the Court of First Instance in Tunis convicted Boughaleb of defaming a state employee, and sentenced him to six months in prison. On June 28, the Tunis Court of Appeal increased Boughaleb’s sentence to eight months. Boughaleb was charged under Article 128 of the penal code, and Article 86 of the telecommunications code.
On April 5, the Court of First Instance in Tunis issued another detention order against Boughaleb, even though he was already in prison, following a complaint by a state university professor regarding one of his social media posts, which are no longer available online.
Boughaleb in this case was charged with defamation under Decree 54 on cybercrime, which was introduced in 2022 after President Kais Saied suspended parliament and introduced a new constitution, giving himself nearly unchecked power.
Boughaleb is detained in Mornaguia prison, west of Tunis, the capital, and suffers from health conditions including as diabetes, prostate problems, weak vision, and hypertension. His health is worsening due to lack of consistent medical care and lack of access to necessary medications in prison, according to a local journalist who is following the case and spoke with CPJ on the condition of anonymity, citing fear of reprisal.
CPJ’s email in late 2024 to the Tunisian presidency requesting comment on Boughaleb’s case and health condition did not receive a reply.