Tunis Court of Appeal Issues Final Verdicts Against Ennahdha Leaders Bhiri and Lounissi, and Journalist Zied El Heni

Tunis – TunisiaONE | June 29, 2026

The Appeals Chamber of the Tunis Court of Appeal issued final rulings today in several high-profile judicial cases. These decisions, involving senior Ennahdha movement leaders Noureddine Bhiri and Mondher Lounissi, as well as journalist Zied El Heni, mark a significant development in the ongoing legal proceedings in Tunisia.

The Jilani Deboussi Case: Sentences Upheld

The Tunis Court of Appeal has upheld the initial verdict sentencing Ennahdha leaders Noureddine Bhiri and Mondher Lounissi to four years in prison each. The case is linked to the death of former MP Jilani Deboussi, with both men charged for their alleged involvement in the incident.

The appellate ruling also confirmed a two-year prison sentence for a retired advocate general and a former physician at the Mornaguia civil prison. In a notable procedural development, the court decided to remove the name of former Minister of Health, Abdellatif Mekki, from the list of defendants in the case.

Background: Circumstances of Jilani Deboussi’s Death

The Jilani Deboussi case remains one of the most complex legal files in Tunisia due to the circumstances surrounding the former MP’s death while in custody. The investigation, triggered by complaints from the Deboussi family, sought to determine the medical and legal responsibilities regarding his detention conditions. Relying on forensic reports and administrative inquiries, the court aimed to clarify the decision-making process from the moment of arrest to his passing, establishing this case as a judicial benchmark for rights protections within correctional facilities.

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Media Law and Professional Standards: Sentence Upheld for Journalist Zied El Heni

In a separate ruling, the Tunis Court of Appeal confirmed the one-year prison sentence previously handed down to journalist Zied El Heni.

This conviction follows the application of legal frameworks and decrees regulating the media sector in Tunisia. El Heni was charged with “offending others via public communication networks” following media statements concerning an ongoing legal case. This verdict is part of a broader series of legal actions against several media professionals in Tunisia, including figures such as Borhen Bsaies, Mourad Zeghidi, Chedha Hadj Mbarek, Khalifa Guesmi, Mohamed Boughalleb, and Amer Ayed.

Through these rulings, the Tunisian judiciary reaffirms its commitment to enforcing the Code of Criminal Procedure and the regulations governing journalistic practice, maintaining that any activity exceeding these legal boundaries is subject to prosecution.

TunisiaONE continues to follow the details of these judicial files across all levels of the legal system and will provide updates as official statements or legal commentaries emerge.