Tunisia court releases man sentenced to death after criticism

A court in Tunisia has released a man who was sentenced to death last week for Facebook posts criticising President Kais Saied.

His release followed a wave of public criticism and human rights concerns over the case.

56-year-old Saber Chouchane was arrested last year and convicted in a ruling that rights groups described as shocking and unprecedented in Tunisia’s recent history.

56-year-old man sentenced to death for criticising Tunisia’s president

His lawyer, Oussama Bouthelja, confirmed his release, while Chouchane’s brother, Jamal, also told Reuters that he had been freed but gave no further details.

Civil society groups and activists described last week’s ruling as a shock, and it sparked a wave of criticism and ridicule on social media among activists and ordinary Tunisians.

Since Saied dissolved the elected parliament four years ago and started ruling by decree, Tunisia has faced growing criticism by rights groups over the erosion of judicial independence.

The Star