Intersection Association for Rights and Freedoms condemns the decision to place journalist Zied El Heni in police custody for 48 hours following his appearance on 24 April 2026 before the Fifth Central Unit for Combating Information and Communication Technology Crimes of the National Guard in El Aouina, where he was heard as a suspect in connection with a journalistic report he published. The report addressed a previous case involving another journalist who was ultimately acquitted after three years of litigation, during which he spent six months in prison.
He is being prosecuted under Article 86 of the Telecommunications Code on charges of harming others or disturbing their peace through public telecommunications networks, an offense punishable by a prison sentence of one to two years and a fine ranging from one hundred to one thousand dinars.
While expressing its full solidarity with Zied El Heni, Intersection Association considers that his placement in custody forms part of a continuing pattern of violations targeting press freedom and restricting free expression. This comes within a broader context marked by the steady erosion of public freedoms and a serious regression in freedom of expression and of the press.
Intersection Association calls on the Tunisian authorities to ensure his immediate and unconditional release and to put an end to all forms of judicial and security-based harassment targeting journalists, bloggers, and individuals expressing their opinions. It further urges the authorities to uphold Tunisia’s international obligations related to freedom of the press and human rights standards.
Intersection Association also reiterates the need to apply Decree Law No 115 of 2011 on freedom of the press, printing, and publishing as the exclusive legal framework governing cases related to journalistic work. Any criminal prosecution of a journalist for carrying out professional duties constitutes a clear criminalization of journalism and an attempt to silence dissent, contributing to a climate of fear and intimidation.
In conclusion, Intersection Association calls on human rights organizations and democratic and trade union actors to stand in solidarity with Zied El Heni, in defense of his right to practice journalism in a safe and free environment, and in protection of a free press as a fundamental pillar of democracy and an essential safeguard for preserving constitutional and human rights gains.
