Tunisian comedian and actor Lotfi Abdelli said a court in Tunisia has sentenced him in absentia to 18 months in prison over a play he performed several years ago, describing the ruling as politically motivated and aimed at silencing critical voices.
According to Tunisian media reports, Abdelli was charged with insulting state officials and offending public morals, in a case that has drawn renewed attention to freedom of expression in the country.
Speaking to Reuters from Paris, where he currently resides, Abdelli said the verdict reflects a broader attempt to intimidate artists and suppress dissent.
“This ruling is aimed at intimidating artists, silencing free and critical voices. It is a political verdict,” he said, adding that being sentenced over his artistic work was both painful and a source of pride.
The case comes as Abdelli has intensified his satirical criticism of President Kais Saied in recent months, particularly over his handling of Tunisia’s political and economic challenges.
In a recent satirical video, the comedian portrayed Saied as acting “like a king,” accusing him of lacking solutions to the country’s problems and targeting critics with imprisonment.
Rights groups have repeatedly warned of a widening crackdown on dissent in Tunisia since Saied began ruling by decree in 2021, raising concerns over judicial independence and civil liberties.
A court spokesperson did not respond to requests for comment regarding the ruling, according to Reuters.
Observers say the case highlights growing tensions between authorities and public figures using satire and artistic expression to criticize the government, in a climate increasingly described as restrictive for free speech.
