Intersection Association for Rights and Freedoms expresses its concern regarding the ruling issued on Tuesday, 12 May 2026, by the Tunis Court of Appeal, which upheld the initial judgment issued by the Criminal Chamber of the Tunis First Instance Court. The ruling sentenced journalists Mourad Zeghidi and Borhen Bsaies to three years and six months in prison on suspicion of money laundering and tax evasion, along with financial fines and the confiscation of their assets and social shares in favor of the public treasury.
Mourad Zeghidi was arrested on 12 May 2024 over his opinions and media statements, while Borhen Bsaies was arrested on 11 May 2024 in connection with media content, including radio and television programs and posts published on his personal page. Although an initial judgment sentenced them to one year in prison later reduced on appeal to eight months and they were unexpectedly issued a new detention order on 3 December 2024 in a money laundering case before completing their sentence. This occurred without interrogation or allowing the defense team access to the case file, while requests for their release continued to be denied.
The Association considers that this judicial process has been marked by serious violations of the rights of defense, as the accused were deprived of their right to defend themselves, access their case file, and prepare their defense. This constitutes a clear breach of constitutional guarantees and fair trial standards enshrined in international and regional human rights instruments, which Tunisia is committed to respecting and ensuring for all citizens without discrimination.
Intersection Association for Rights and Freedoms also expresses its full solidarity with the journalists and their families, calling for the lifting of the injustice imposed on them. It warns of the dangers of the continuation of such violations and punitive prosecutions, which reveal a systematic policy aimed at silencing voices and intimidating critical opinions through unjust rulings and restrictive legislation, thereby pushing Tunisia back toward environments of authoritarianism and prior censorship.
In conclusion, Intersection Association for Rights and Freedoms calls on all civil and political forces to act urgently to confront these violations, defend press freedom and freedom of opinion and expression, and denounce trials targeting journalists and activists alike, as part of a broader systematic policy affecting fundamental rights and freedoms in Tunisia.
