Tunisian Journalist Khaoula Boukrim Sentenced To Four Years In Prison In Absentia

A Tunisian court has sentenced prominent journalist Khaoula Boukrim to four years in prison in absentia, a decision critics say reflects an ongoing crackdown on press freedom and dissent under President Kais Saied.

Boukrim, founder of the independent news website TUMEDIA, confirmed on Tuesday that the court had issued two separate rulings against her under Tunisia’s Decree-Law 54, a cybercrime law introduced in 2022. The legislation carries severe penalties for certain online publication offences and has been widely criticised by rights groups.

The journalist fled to Paris in December after learning that legal proceedings were being prepared against her. She said the cases were linked to her critical views of President Saied and his administration.

“I was forced to leave for Paris when I learned that legal cases were being prepared against me because of my critical positions toward the president and those around him,” Boukrim told Reuters.

She described the court’s decision as “a continuation of the targeting of free journalism and critical voices.”

Authorities had not commented on the ruling at the time of reporting.

The verdict comes amid growing concerns from rights organisations over the treatment of journalists and political opponents in Tunisia. Earlier this year, several media figures, including journalists Zied Heni, Mourad Zghidi and Borhen Bsaies, were also imprisoned.

Human rights groups argue that Decree-Law 54 is increasingly being used to silence critics and restrict freedom of expression. Tunisian authorities, however, maintain that the law is necessary to combat misinformation and online abuse.

Concerns over civil liberties have intensified since President Kais Saied dissolved Tunisia’s elected parliament in 2021 and began governing by decree.

Following the 2011 uprising that ousted former president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali and helped spark the Arab Spring, Tunisia was widely viewed as one of the region’s democratic success stories, with expanded freedoms and political participation.

Critics now argue that democratic safeguards have been weakened and that authorities have increasingly targeted journalists, opposition figures and activists. Over the past three years, leaders of major opposition parties, along with dozens of politicians, activists and business figures, have been jailed on charges including conspiring against state security, money laundering and corruption.

President Saied has rejected accusations of authoritarianism, insisting that he is not a dictator and that freedoms remain protected in Tunisia.