Lawmaker Jailed for Mocking President in Facebook Post

Ahmed Saidani

Lawmaker Jailed for Mocking President in Facebook Post

A Tunisian court has sentenced Ahmed Saidani, a sitting lawmaker, to eight months in prison for mocking President Kais Saied in a Facebook post linked to the president’s response to recent flood disasters in Tunisia.

The ruling was delivered on Thursday, deepening concerns over free speech, political repression, and shrinking civic space in the North African country.

Mr Saidani was arrested earlier this month after posting a sarcastic message reacting to Kais Saied’s visit to flood-hit communities. In the post, the lawmaker mocked the president’s public appearances, suggesting Saied had assumed the role of both national leader and sanitation official.

“It seems that the new title will be the Supreme Commander of sanitation and rainwater drainage,” Saidani wrote, adding that his comment was “not a mockery” of the president, but a reflection on governance priorities.

Prosecutors charged the lawmaker under Tunisia’s telecommunications law, which criminalises online insults and criticism made through digital platforms. The law allows for prison sentences of up to two years.

Political and Legal Context

The sentencing has sparked outrage among opposition figures, activists, and rights organisations, who argue that the case highlights an ongoing crackdown on dissent in Tunisia.

Mr Saidani was once a supporter of President Saied but later became a vocal critic, accusing the administration of centralising power, sidelining institutions, and suppressing opposing voices.

Since 2021, Tunisia has undergone sweeping political changes following President Saied’s decision to dissolve parliament and rule largely by decree. Critics say these moves have weakened democratic checks and emboldened the use of laws to silence critics, including lawmakers, journalists, and civil society actors.

Human rights advocates warn that the increasing use of criminal prosecutions for social media posts threatens political debate and accountability, particularly at a time when the country faces economic hardship, infrastructure failures, and climate-related disasters.

The government, however, maintains that all prosecutions are conducted within the law and insists that no one is above legal accountability.