Tunisian Court Sentences Pro-Palestinian Activist to Prison

• Tunisian court upholds prison sentence for activist Ghassan Ben Khelifa.
• Ben Khelifa convicted for managing a Facebook page deemed ‘jihadist’.
• Rights groups criticize the ruling as politically motivated repression.
• Increasing arrests of pro-Palestinian activists under President Kais Saied.
• Concerns grow over civil liberties erosion in Tunisia since Saied’s re-election.

Court Upholds Sentence Against Activist Amid Political Tensions

A Tunisian appeal court has upheld a six-month prison sentence for pro-Palestinian activist and journalist Ghassan Ben Khelifa. Originally sentenced for “offending others via social media,” this ruling has sparked outrage among rights advocates, who decry it as politically motivated. The court’s decision, made public on Thursday, relies on Article 86 of the Telecommunications Code of Tunisia, stemming from allegations related to a Facebook page that was labeled as containing ‘jihadist’ content.

Challenging the Verdict: Activism and Repression

The case against Ben Khelifa arises from September 2022 when he was accused of managing a social media platform promoting extremist views. However, investigations later indicated that he had no connection to the page in question, much to the dismay of his supporters. Despite this clarity, the appeal court upheld the initial verdict, which many view as part of a wider national trend of repression regarding pro-Palestine and leftist narratives, overshadowed by the current political climate in Tunisia.

Civil Society Unites Against Judicial Overreach

Responses from civil society groups and media unions have been swift and vocal. Ben Khelifa’s supporters argue that the ruling represents a broader attack on critical journalism and dissent in Tunisia. They emphasize that the ongoing repression threatens civil liberties, with voices advocating for human rights being increasingly targeted. Critics like the Intersection for Rights and Freedoms have labeled the verdict “blatantly unjust,” stressing that it sends chills through the journalistic community and undermines freedom of expression.

The prison sentence against Ghassan Ben Khelifa illustrates growing tensions and repression within Tunisia, raising substantial concerns about civil liberties under President Kais Saied. Rights groups argue that the ruling reflects an alarming trend aimed at silencing dissenting voices. The international community watches closely as activists vow to challenge this decision, emphasizing the importance of protecting freedoms of speech and press in the country.