Tunisia: upholding of blogger's seven-year jail sentence for 'insulting Islam' condemned

The upholding of a seven-and-half-year sentence against a Tunisian blogger jailed for “insulting Islam” is yet another blow to freedom of expression in the country, Amnesty International said this afternoon.

The blogger - Jabeur Mejri - was given the prison sentence last month along with a fine of 1,200 Tunisian Dinars (approximately £500) - after a court in Mahdia, eastern Tunisia, deemed that posts he had made online were insulting to Islam and Muslims.

Earlier today his conviction was upheld by Tunisia’s Court of Cassation.

Amnesty International Middle East and North Africa Director Philip Luther said:

“There’s no reason for the Tunisian authorities to keep Jabeur Mejri imprisoned.

“He must be immediately and unconditionally released and the authorities must urgently reform articles of the Penal Code that restrict freedom of expression.”