A Tunisian appeals court on Tuesday ordered the release of Saber Chouchane, a 56-year-old man sentenced to death last week over Facebook posts critical of the president, after the verdict drew a storm of public criticism and rights concerns.
His lawyer, Oussama Bouthelja, confirmed Chouchane had been freed. Chouchane was arrested last year.
The death sentence was unprecedented in Tunisia’s recent history and came amid a broader clampdown on dissent since President Kais Saied grabbed sweeping powers in 2021. Civil society groups and activists called the ruling a shock, prompting ridicule and anger on social media.
Since Saied dissolved the elected parliament and began ruling by decree four years ago, rights organisations have accused authorities of eroding judicial independence and narrowing space for free expression.