A Tunisian choose ordered the release Thursday of outstanding journalist Zied El-Heni who was detained on allegations of insulting Tunisian President Kais Saeid. The choice comes amidst growing concerns about freedom of expression and press freedom within the nation.
The choose dominated that there was inadequate proof to justify El-Heni’s continued detention by the Fifth Central Division for Combating Info and Communication Expertise Crimes and that the arrest was an infringement upon his freedom of speech.
El-Heni was taken into custody on Tuesday after criticizing a regulation that criminalizes insulting the top of state in a tv interview. The arrest sparked outrage amongst press freedom advocates who raised considerations over the growing crackdown on dissenting voices in Tunisia.
Tunisia has confronted important political and social challenges, together with considerations concerning the erosion of democratic norms and civil liberties below Saeid. Yassine Jelassi, head of the Tunisian Nationwide Journalists’ Union (SNJT) at a press conference in February, stated, “It’s clear that freedoms are threatened and face an imminent peril.”
Saeid has defended his measure as essential to deal with corruption and restore stability.
Source / Picture: jurist.org