Tunisia’s president pardons man sentenced to death for Facebook posts

A Tunisian man sentenced to death for Facebook posts criticizing President Kais Saied has been pardoned and released following global backlash. The case sheds light on Tunisia’s tightening grip on online speech and political dissent, reflecting a wider trend of digital repression across Africa.

The story explores how social media expression continues to carry life-threatening consequences in authoritarian contexts, raising questions about freedom of expression and state power in the digital age.

Saber Chouchane, a 56-year-old day labourer, was arrested last year after repeatedly criticising the president on his Facebook page. Authorities accused him of undermining state security and spreading false information that could disturb public order. In September, a court in Nabeul handed him a death sentence, a decision that rights groups described as unprecedented.

His lawyer, Oussama Bouthalja, confirmed that the judgment had been appealed, describing it as a serious violation of the right to free expression. Tunisia’s Ministry of Justice did not immediately comment, but the ruling quickly gained international coverage and condemnation from rights organisations.

The Tunisian League for Human Rights said the judgment was shocking, noting that the country had not carried out an execution in more than three decades. Relatives of the convicted man said they were heartbroken. His brother Jamal told Reuters that the family was poor and struggling to understand how social-media posts could lead to such punishment.

The outrage that followed grew rapidly. Local activists and journalists condemned the verdict as a sign that freedom of speech in Tunisia was under serious threat. The public debate eventually reached the president’s office, leading to a decision that reversed the course of the case entirely.

From Social-Media Posts to Presidential Pardon

Although Tunisian courts occasionally issue death sentences, most have historically been related to violent crimes and are rarely enforced. The ruling against Chouchane was therefore seen as extraordinary, especially because it targeted online criticism rather than physical acts of violence.

Tunisia’s political atmosphere has changed notably since 2021, when President Saied dissolved parliament and began ruling by decree. The move was justified by the government as necessary to tackle corruption and political instability. However, opposition parties and rights groups have described it as a step back for democracy.

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Since then, several journalists, opposition leaders, and online activists have been detained for posts viewed as critical of the presidency. Consequently, the internet has become a space of tension between citizens and the state. Many Tunisians continue to use Facebook as their main outlet for political discussion, and the reaction to the death sentence reflected deep concern that public criticism might soon become impossible.

Following growing international pressure, including statements from regional rights organisations, the presidency announced that the convicted man had been granted a full pardon. He was released from detention days later. The decision brought relief to his family and supporters, though it did not end broader worries about online freedom.

Activists noted that while the pardon saved Chouchane from execution, it did not address the wider issue of criminal penalties for speech. They warned that without reforms to Tunisia’s laws on digital communication, similar cases could occur again.