A Tunisian appeals court has reduced the prison sentences of four social media influencers convicted of violating public morality laws, sparking controversy and raising concerns about freedom of expression in the country.
Three of the influencers, including popular Instagram figure Lady Samara, have been released from prison after their sentences were significantly reduced.
This development follows a broader crackdown on freedoms under President Kais Saied, who has overseen a decline in civil liberties since seizing broad powers in 2021.
The initial arrests and harsh sentences drew widespread condemnation from human rights groups and international observers, who viewed them as an attack on freedom of expression and a further erosion of democratic freedoms in Tunisia.
This case highlights the increasing restrictions on civil liberties under President Saied’s rule, raising concerns about the future of democracy and human rights in the country.