The case of Fakhri Landolsi, a Tunisian from Kairouan and sentenced to death in Qatar, suddenly comes to the fore after a new alert launched by the Tunisian human rights observatory. The organization says it is following the situation “with deep concern” and believes that the Qatari authorities would be ready to carry out the sentence. It calls on Tunisia, and first and foremost the President of the Republic, to intervene urgently to prevent this outcome.
This case dates back several years. Fakhri was arrested in Qatar for his alleged involvement in the murder of a soldier at a Qatari base. The authorities also accused him of belonging to an extremist group. His trial led to a death sentence, a verdict that his family and several NGOs have always denounced as unfair and marred by gray areas.
In 2021, the affair had already caused great emotion in Tunisia. Diplomatic mediation then resulted in a decision by the Emir of Qatar to suspend the execution, giving hope for a more lenient outcome. At the time, some relatives even raised the possibility of a sentence commuted, but no official confirmation was ever made public. Since then, the matter has remained silent, with no visible progress.
Imminent death?
The re-emergence of the case today, along with reports that the inmate was informed of preparations for execution, has renewed his family’s fears. His mother increased calls to the Tunisian authorities to obtain repatriation or, at the very least, direct diplomatic intervention. She says her son now lives in fear of imminent death.
This case once again raises the question of the protection of Tunisian nationals sentenced abroad, particularly in countries applying the death penalty. It also highlights the complexity of issues combining justice, diplomacy and human rights. For Landolsi’s defenders, time is running out. If Tunisia does not mobilize quickly, the risk of execution becoming a reality has never seemed higher.
