Press freedom groups say the case against the prominent commentator stems from his journalism and his refusal to reveal confidential sources.

A Tunisian court has sentenced prominent journalist and political commentator Zied El-Heni to four years in prison on terrorism-related charges, prompting condemnation from press freedom groups.

Zied El-Heni sentenced over leaked recordings

The criminal chamber specializing in terrorism cases at the Tunis Court of First Instance handed down the sentence on Oct. 27. The case is linked to leaked audio recordings attributed to Mondher Lounissi, a former interim leader of the opposition Ennahdha party.

El-Heni had sought to verify the recordings for his radio program in 2023 and contacted people involved in the case. Authorities initially questioned him as a witness before later naming him as a defendant.

The charges included forming a terrorist organization, failing to report a terrorist offense and alleged contacts with agents of a foreign state.

Press freedom groups condemn the ruling

Press freedom groups say the case relates to El-Heni’s journalistic work and his refusal to disclose confidential sources.

The International Federation of Journalists and the National Union of Tunisian Journalists condemned the ruling and called for it to be reviewed. The Committee to Protect Journalists called for El-Heni’s immediate release and for his conviction to be overturned.

Concerns over a fair trial

According to the journalists’ union, El-Heni appeared at the hearing by video link from Mornaguia Prison. His lawyers said they were unable to deliver their closing arguments in his presence, raising concerns over his right to a fair trial.

El-Heni is already serving a separate one-year prison sentence over a social media post about press freedom.

Press freedom organizations say his latest conviction reflects increasing use of criminal and counterterrorism laws against journalists and government critics in Tunisia.