Tunisian Court Sentences MP to Three Years in Prison
The criminal chamber of the Jendouba Court of First Instance sentenced Hatem Houaoui, a member of the People's Representatives Assembly for the Jendouba constituency, to three years in prison on Monday. The verdict was delivered in the first instance and in the presence of the MP.
According to the judgment displayed in the court's hall, Hatem Houaoui was found guilty of attributing unfounded facts to a public official with the intention of defaming, damaging their reputation, and causing moral harm. He was also convicted of inciting aggression, making illegal accusations without evidence against a public agent, and causing harm to others through the public communication network. All these acts were considered as successive offenses under Article 55 of the Penal Code.
The case dates back to 2023 when the public prosecutor's office referred the MP, even before he acquired this status, following a complaint filed by the regional delegate. The latter accused him of publishing a video and writings that harmed his person.
