Tunisia's opposition party leader imprisoned for criticising electoral commission
Tunisia's Free Destourian Party (PDL) leader, Abir Moussi, has been jailed ahead of the country's general elections in October.
A court sentenced the opposition leader to two years in prison on August 5, for her criticism of Tunisia’s High Independent Authority for Elections.
Moussi was arrested by Tunisian police on October 3, 2023, for appealing against presidential decrees during a sit-in protest at the entrance to the presidential palace.
She was detained for 48 hours on charges of processing personal data, obstructing the right to work, and assault intended to cause chaos.
Her lawyer, Nafie Al-Araibi, labelled the incident as a "kidnapping in front of the presidential palace."
Moussi was prosecuted under Decree-Law No. 2022-54 over allegations including attempting to change the form of government.
Decree 54, was implemented by Tunisian President Kais Saied on September 13, 2023, to prevent offences related to information and communication systems.
Under the law, persons involved in the dissemination of fake news and rumours intended to defame others and damage their reputation stand to pay penalties of fines and imprisonment of up to five years in prison.
Over the past 18 months, more than 60 individuals have been prosecuted under Decree 54. On July 6, the Tunis Court of First Instance sentenced lawyer and columnist Sonia Dahmani to one year in prison after she made public comments about Tunisia refusing sub-Saharan African migrants from Europe. Human Rights Watch (HRW) denounced the decree on December 19, 2023, claiming that Tunisia's use of the decree breaches Article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which guarantees the right to liberty.
If Moussi's sentencing is upheld in future proceedings, she will be banned from running for office as a presidential candidate. Meanwhile, Tunisian President Kais Saied submitted his official candidacy for the October 6 election on August 5.
