Tunisia: Tunisia Sentences Blogger Hajer Awadi to 26 Months Over Social Media Post

What the report says

Tunisian blogger and political activist Hajer Awadi has been sentenced to 26 months in prison over a Facebook post and livestream related to a security operation, according to a report distributed by the Committee to Protect Journalists and carried by AllAfrica. The case has drawn renewed criticism from press-freedom advocates, who say the punishment reflects a broader pattern of using criminal charges against online expression in Tunisia.

The report says a court in Tunis issued the sentence on September 30. The penalties were broken down into separate counts, including charges described in the report as praising or glorifying terrorism, inciting hatred, and making threats. Awadi’s lawyer said an appeal has been filed.

Awadi was arrested in Tunis on January 23 after posting a Facebook Live video about a recent security raid in central-west Tunisia. She was later ordered held by a counter-terrorism judicial body and transferred to Manouba Women’s Prison, where she remains detained, according to the report. CPJ says Awadi has around 15,000 followers on Facebook and has also posted about corruption, human rights and police conduct.

The organization called for her immediate release and for the conviction to be overturned. As background, Tunisia has in recent years faced criticism from rights groups over prosecutions involving speech online, especially cases linked to political commentary or security matters.