Tunisian justice has delivered its verdict on appeal in the case targeting journalist Mohamed Boughalleb. The conviction handed down at first instance, on the basis of Decree-Law No. 54 relating to digital offenses, was confirmed by the Tunis Court of Appeal.
The criminal chamber at the Tunis Court of Appeal confirmed the two-year suspended prison sentence handed down to journalist Mohamed Boughalleb. The information was made public by his lawyer, Me Hamadi Zaâfrani, in a statement to Agence Tunis-Afrique-Presse. This decision validates the initial judgment rendered by Criminal Chamber No. 44 of the Tunis Court of First Instance.
A complaint for defamation
The lawsuits originated in a complaint filed by a university professor, who accused the journalist of defamation following a publication published on one of the social networks. The facts were qualified on the basis of Article 24 of Decree-Law No. 54, governing offenses linked to information and communication systems.
In this same case, the investigating judge ordered, at the beginning of April 2024, the detention of Mohamed Boughalleb. After several months of detention, the criminal chamber of the court of first instance decided, in February 2025, to release him, while keeping him at the disposal of justice until the final judgment.
Decree-law 54
The confirmation of the conviction comes in a context of heated controversies surrounding Decree-Law No. 54. This text provides for penalties of up to five years in prison and a fine of 50 thousand dinars for the use of digital networks for the purpose of disseminating content considered false or infringing the rights of others, public order or public security.
