Mourad Zeghidi, a French-Tunisian journalist detained in Tunisia, has begun a hunger strike. His family is raising concerns about the health and legal situation of the former Canal+ sports commentator, who has been imprisoned for over two years. His Parisian lawyers, Louise El Yafi and Inès Davau, denounce his detention as a result of his work as a journalist. They believe this hunger strike reflects the dire straits in which Mourad Zeghidi now finds himself.
A three-and-a-half-year sentence upheld on appeal
The Tunis Court of Appeal upheld in mid-May a three-and-a-half-year prison sentence for Mourad Zeghidi and Borhen Bsaies, both well-known journalists in Tunisia. They were imprisoned in May 2024 after making radio and television statements deemed critical of President Kais Saied. Although they were due to be released in January 2025, after serving eight months, new charges were brought against them for alleged financial misconduct. These charges resulted in a conviction that was upheld on appeal.
The family denounces prolonged detention
For Mourad Zeghidi's family, the legal proceedings are being used to keep the journalist in detention. They denounce this prolonged deprivation of liberty, despite the time he has already spent in prison. His lawyers believe that press freedom is directly threatened when the justice system is used, in their view, to prolong a journalist's incarceration and prevent him from speaking independently.
A call for immediate release
Mourad Zeghidi's family is calling on Tunisian authorities to end his detention and release him immediately. They are also urging France to take swift and decisive action in support of the Franco-Tunisian journalist.
