Tunisian journalist Mohamed Boughaleb served an eight-month prison sentence after he was convicted of defamation for his social media posts and statements on television and radio. Boughaleb was released on February 20, 2025 and is currently banned from traveling.
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, 2024, the Court of First Instance in Tunis convicted Boughaleb of defaming a state employee, and sentencedhim 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, 2024, 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.
On July 11, 2025, Boughaleb was sentenced to two years in prison by the Criminal Chamber No. 44 of the Tunis Court of First Instance on July 10, 2025. As of late 2025, Boughaleb remains free, but risks the court issuing an arrest warrant against to start his sentence at any time.
Boughaleb in this new case was convicted 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 was 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 letter in February 2025 to the Tunisian presidency requesting comment on Boughaleb’s case and health condition did not receive a reply.