Tunisian Journalist Mohamed Boughalleb Arrested for Exposing Corruption Ahead of Presidential Election

Mohamed Boughalleb, a prominent Tunisian journalist, has been put under pre-trial detention following a court hearing where he discussed the possibility of publishing reports on corruption and the misuse of public funds by several ministers and public institutions. Boughalleb’s arrest came four days after he was arrested in Tunis on suspicion of insulting a public official on social media.

As Tunisia heads to a presidential election later this year, his arrest is the latest example of officials in Tunisia referring complaints to public prosecutors using a controversial 2022 law, known as Decree 54, which has been used to prosecute high-profile journalists and opposition figures.

Human Rights Watch reported that Decree 54 had been used to detain, charge, or place under investigation at least 20 journalists, lawyers, students, and other critics for their public statements online or in the media.

Boughalleb’s lawyer said he intended to make public his reporting on corruption and waste of public funds regarding several ministers and public institutions. His trial next month comes before President Kais Saied is expected to seek a second term in a yet-to-be-scheduled election.