In Tunisia, a MP was sentenced yesterday to eight months in prison for criticizing President Kais Saied on social media in connection with the recent floods in the country, Agence France-Presse reported, citing Tunisian media, BTA reported.
Parliamentarian Ahmed Saidani was detained earlier this month.
The MP was sentenced to eight months in prison by a first-instance court in the capital Tunis. His lawyer, Houssem Ed Din Ben Attia, told Agence France-Presse earlier this month that the charge was based on telecommunications law, and specifically on rules regarding causing harm to others through social networks.
Saidani, who is not known to the general public, was among the supporters of President Saied's actions in the summer of 2021, when the head of state concentrated power in his hands.
Tunisian and international NGOs have criticized the state of rights and freedoms in Tunisia since July 2021, when President Saied dismissed the prime minister and dissolved parliament, after which a parliament with severely limited powers was elected.