Tunisia sentences pro-Palestine leftist activist to jail over running a 'jihadist' social media page

A Tunis appeal court has upheld a six-month prison sentence against pro-Palestinian activist and journalist Ghassan Ben Khelifa on charges of "offending others via social media," a verdict denounced by rights groups and press freedom advocates as politically motivated.

The ruling, issued Thursday under Article 86 of Tunisia's Telecommunications Code, arises from a September 2022 case, in which Ben Khelifa was accused of managing a Facebook page that contained "jihadist" content.

However, subsequent investigations reportedly found no connection between Ben Khelifa, editor-in-chief of the progressive platform Inhiyez, and the page in question.

Despite this, the appeal court confirmed the initial conviction, triggering condemnation from civil society groups, media unions and political activists, who view the case as part of a broader campaign of repression targeting pro-Palestinian and anti-imperialist voices in Tunisia.

"This is not just about Ghassan. This is an attack on anyone who stands up for the oppressed, who speaks out against exploitation, imperialism and Zionism", said Inhiyez platform in a statement published on 17 July.

"It is an attempt to muzzle critical journalism and intimidate the free press."

Ben Khelifa, a long-standing figure on Tunisia's progressive left and an outspoken critic of authoritarianism, has been involved in numerous grassroots campaigns, including the Tunisian campaign for boycotting Israel and the Somoud convoy to Gaza.

Following the court's decision, Ben Khelifa stated that he was awaiting the outcome of a request filed by his legal team to suspend the sentence and to seek cassation.

The Tunisian association Intersection for Rights and Freedoms condemned the ruling as a "blatantly unjust verdict", warning that the increasing use of prison sentences against journalists poses a serious threat to civil liberties.

"This is part of a dangerous trend aimed at silencing dissent and intimidating critical voices," the group added.

The Joint Coordination for Palestine in Tunisia, of which Ben Khelifa is a member, described the verdict as "revenge-driven" and called on Justice Minister Leila Jaffel to intervene and put an end to what it called a "judicial farce".

"Everyone knows Ghassan is a lifelong leftist. How on earth is he being prosecuted for allegedly running an Islamist extremist page?" said Wael Naouar, a member of the Joint Coordination for Palestine in Tunisia.

"The real admin has confessed, and yet Ghassan is still sentenced. What kind of justice is this?" Naouar added. 

Ben Khelifa and his supporters say they will challenge the decision through all available legal and public channels.

The ruling comes amid growing concern over the erosion of civil liberties in Tunisia under President Kais Saied.

Following President Kais Saied's re-election last October, police have intensified their crackdown on pro-Palestine groups, arresting at least five activists since 7 October. Three of whom are being investigated on terrorism charges.

The pro-Palestine groups mainly protest the state's failure to take a firm stance against the embassies and interests of countries supporting the genocide in Gaza, urging the criminalisation of normalisation with Israel. 

President Saied, despite his public support for Palestine, has stalled legislation to criminalise normalisation with Israel, citing concerns over Tunisia's "security and interests."

Meanwhile, human rights groups warn that voices critical of the Tunisian president and his government, from are all political factions, are increasingly being targeted through the courts and broad laws.

Since consolidating power in 2021, Saied has tightened control over the judiciary and security services, fuelling fears of a return to Ben Ali's era or worse.