Tunisia: Chadha Hadj Mbarek and Chahrazad Akacha Sentenced in Instalingo Case
February 5, 2025 - Tunisia, Tunis
Women Press Freedom strongly condemns the politically motivated sentencing of journalists Chadha Hadj Mbarek (5 years) and Chahrazad Akacha (27 years in absentia). These convictions are part of an ongoing crackdown on independent media and critical voices.
Mbarek, a social media content editor at Instalingo, and Akacha, a freelance journalist, were convicted of "conspiring against state security" and "committing an offense against the President of the Republic"—bogus charges used to silence dissent. 39 others linked to Instalingo have faced prosecution in this escalating attack on press freedom.
Akacha, who fled Tunisia, was sentenced in absentia, exposing the grave risks exiled journalists face for continuing their reporting. Tunisian authorities must overturn these unjust convictions and cease their persecution of journalists.
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