Walid Al-Majri, the founder of the investigative media Al-Katiba, was convicted in absentia in January 2023 following a complaint by the Ministry of Interior in 2017. He was accused of insulting former President Béji Caïd Essebsi and the Minister of the Interior through his Facebook posts. The journalist was sentenced to one year in prison for allegedly misusing public communication networks.
Following his one-year prison sentence in absentia by the Court of First Instance of Tunis 1, journalist Walid Al-Majri was placed on the wanted list in mid-July. In addition, during the trial, the journalist did not receive any official summons to appear in court. The case has heightened concerns about press freedom in Tunisia, with many viewing it as part of a wider crackdown on journalists.
On 22 August, the Court of First Instance of Tunis 1 reviewed the in-absentia ruling following a complaint filed by Walid Al-Majri's legal team, requesting that the search for him be halted. The court decided to keep him at liberty while awaiting the decision about his appeal, which challenges the initial verdict. This appeal is a crucial opportunity for the judiciary to address procedural violations and correct the injustices that Al-Majri has suffered from.
The SNJT organised a solidarity sit-in on 22 August in front of the court. SNJT General Secretary Ziad Dabbar said to the media: “Political power does not acknowledge the right of others to disagree and aims to impose its will through restrictive laws and absurd practices.” He criticised the prison sentences issued against reporters and commentators for their critical remarks and stressed that the union will continue its escalatory actions, potentially resorting to a general strike and international litigation.
The IFJ calls on the authorities to end the persecution against journalists and uphold press freedom in Tunisia. IFJ General Secretary Anthony Bellanger said: "The conviction of Walid Al-Majriis part of a disturbing pattern of judicial harassment against journalists. It is essential that the Tunisian judiciary uses the upcoming appeal hearing to reverse this unjust verdict and to reaffirm its commitment to protecting the fundamental rights of journalists."