Tunisian Court Sentences Lawyer Sonia Dahmani to Two Years in Prison
A Tunis court sentenced lawyer and columnist Sonia Dahmani to two years in jail on Friday for comments about prison conditions. The verdict marks her third conviction this year under a 2022 decree on false information.
france24.comA Tunis court sentenced lawyer and columnist Sonia Dahmani to two years in prison on Friday for statements made in a 2023 radio interview about prison conditions. Lawyer Sami Ben Ghazi told AFP that the Tunis Court of First Instance issued the verdict after a hearing on Friday. Dahmani’s legal team has lodged an appeal.
The 60-year-old Dahmani was previously sentenced to 18 months in May 2024 for a remark on television questioning why migrants would settle in Tunisia during an economic crisis. An appeals court added another 18 months in April for comments about cemeteries and buses reserved for Black people.
Dahmani faces five separate prosecutions, all based on media statements and filed under Decree 54, a 2022 law on false information.
Masked police officers arrested Dahmani in May 2024 at the headquarters of the Bar Association. She was released on conditional parole in November 2024 after more than 18 months in detention. Human rights organizations have documented an increase in legal actions against lawyers, journalists, and activists since July 2021 under Decree 54 and anti-terrorism statutes.
Key Facts
Story Timeline
5 events- May 2024
Dahmani arrested at Bar Association headquarters by masked officers.
1 sourceAl Jazeera - November 2024
Dahmani released on conditional parole after 18 months in detention.
1 sourceAl Jazeera - April 2025
Appeals court sentenced Dahmani to 18 months for comments on cemeteries and buses.
1 sourceAl Jazeera - May 2025
Dahmani sentenced to 18 months for a remark on television about migrants.
1 sourceAl Jazeera - 23 May 2026
Tunis Court of First Instance sentenced Dahmani to two years for prison-condition comments.
1 sourceAl Jazeera
Potential Impact
- 01
Four additional cases against Dahmani remain unresolved.
- 02
Dahmani will remain subject to appeal proceedings in the current case.
Transparency Panel
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