Tunisia: Journalist Zied El-Heni sentenced to four years in prison for terrorism

Tunisian journalist Zied El-Heni was sentenced to four years in prison on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, at the conclusion of proceedings conducted under anti-terrorism and anti-money laundering laws. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) is calling for his immediate release and the overturning of his conviction, which it believes is linked to his journalistic work and his refusal to reveal his confidential sources.

The conviction was handed down in the so-called audio leaks case, which involves politician Mondher Lounissi, according to a statement from the National Syndicate of Tunisian Journalists (SNJT) cited by the CPJ. The court upheld several charges related to state security: forming a terrorist organization, disclosing secrets for the benefit of a terrorist organization, failing to report a terrorist offense, and communicating with agents of a foreign state to harm Tunisia's national interests.

Initially heard as a witness

The origin of the case lies in his profession. Zied El-Heni had initially been heard as a witness regarding audio recordings he was seeking to verify for his radio show, "Émission Impossible." When questioned about his relationships with his sources, his status shifted from witness to defendant.

The SNJT also disputes the conduct of the hearing. According to the union, the journalist followed the October 27 session remotely from his cell, as he was denied an in-person appearance, and the verdict was delivered without his lawyers being able to present a defense. The union views this as a violation of the right to a defense and the guarantees of a fair trial.

"An outrageous escalation in Tunisia's assault on the press," reacted CPJ regional director Sara Qudah, who is calling on authorities to stop using anti-terrorism laws and the judiciary to criminalize journalism. The CPJ stated that its email sent to Tunisian authorities seeking comment remained unanswered.

Five journalists behind bars

Zied El-Heni is already serving a one-year prison sentence handed down under Article 86 of the Telecommunications Code for a social media post in April. A third, separate proceeding concerns his former term on the Carthage municipal council.

He is one of five journalists currently imprisoned in Tunisia, along with Mohamed Yousfi, Mourad Zghidi, Borhen Bsaies, and Hajer Awadi, according to the CPJ's count. At least six others have been sentenced to prison terms but remain free or abroad, and therefore remain at risk of incarceration.

For a continent where the independent press often pays the price for its work, the Tunisian case poses a simple question: when a journalist is tried under a law written to combat terrorism, it is the public's right to information that finds itself in the dock. Defending the rights of Africans also means defending them against their own authorities.