Mohamed Boughalleb

Summary

Mohammed Boughalleb is a Tunisian journalist and media professional. The Judicial Police of Al-Gorjani summoned him for an investigation following a complaint filed by the Minister of Religious Affairs, Ibrahim Chaibi, regarding his media statements and the diffusion of information about the Minister of Religious Affairs owning a vehicle subject to legal dispute.

Personal Information

Name: Mohammed Boughalleb

Nationality: Tunisian

Age: 59

Occupation: Media Professional and Journalist at “Cap FM” 

Charges: Dissemination of fake news concerning the meaning of Article 24 of Decree No.54, enforcing the prohibition of practicing religious rituals, attributing illegal conduct to a public official, and endangering the life of the Minister of Religious Affairs.

Incidents of Violation

On April 7, 2023, Journalist Mohammed Boughalleb went to the Judicial Police of Al-Gorjani headquarters after receiving a summoning notice he found in his residence on April 5, 2023. After interrogation, it was revealed that a complaint was filed against him by the Minister of Religious Affairs due to radio statements in which he talked about exploiting the Ministry of Religious Affairs’ interests in a car seized by the Tunisian customs and subject to legal disputes. This complaint is under Article 24 of Decree No.54, in which he was accused of diffusing fake news, enforcing prohibition of practicing religious rituals, and endangering the Minister of Religious Affairs’ life, as well as attributing illegal conduct to a public official. After questioning, journalist Mohammed Boughalleb waited for the declaration of the verdict for more than five hours, mentioning that his health condition obliges him to rest and take medication. At 4 p.m., he was released, and a second interrogation had been scheduled for April 12, 2023. 

On Wednesday, April 12, Mohammed Boughalled went again to the Al-Gorjani headquarters to be interrogated regarding another complaint where he was accused of forming a terrorist group along with Journalist Monia Arafoui and coordinating to defame the Minister of Religious Affairs, to be later released. Subsequently, he was informed to attend on May 2 for questioning about a previously filed complaint against him without revealing the reasons.

Human Rights Violations

Summoning journalist Mohammed Boughalleb for questioning regarding his media statements and blog posts, which are actions that fall under his job as a journalist, is a violation of his right to freedom of expression. Furthermore, suing him according to Decree No. 54, constitutes a blatant violation of press freedom in Tunisia. Decree No.54 has become a significant weapon for the government of Nejla Bouden, as it is frequently used against anyone who criticizes the government’s policy or its members, making this legal text a tool to threaten, oppress, and silence all journalists. This reflects an evident tightening through the repressive actions taken by the Tunisian authorities against journalism. Intersection Association emphasizes the 

Sources

Intersection Association documented the case of journalist Mohammed Boughalled after communication with the victim’s lawyer Anas Kadoussi, and examined media statements related to the case, as well as Mohammed Boughalleb’s.