A Tunisia court sentenced the leader of the opposition Free Destourian Party (PDL) Abir Moussi to two years in prison on Monday over criticizm of Tunisia’s High Independent Authority for Elections. She was prosecuted under Decree-Law No. 2022-54 and accused of crimes such as attacks to change government form.

Moussi was previously detained by Tunisian police on October 3, 2023, after she participated in a sit-in protest at the entrance to the presidential palace to appeal against presidential decrees. Local news reported that she was detained for 48 hours on charges of “processing personal data, obstructing the right to work [] and assault intended to cause chaos.” Moussi’s lawyer, Nafie Al-Araibi, described the incident as a “kidnapping in front of the presidential palace.”

Decree 54 was issued by Tunisian President Kais Saied on September 13, 2023. It aims to “prevent offences relating to information and communication systems and their repression.” The decree provides for a fine and five years in prison for disseminating “fake news” and “rumours” that are “intended to defame others” and “damage their reputation”. The penalties are doubled if the person concerned is a Tunisian official.

Over 60 individuals have been prosecuted under Decree 54 in the past 18 months. On July 6, the Tunis Court of First Instance sentenced lawyer and columnist Sonia Dahmani to one year in prison after she was charged in accordance with Decree 54 following public comments she made about the country refusing sub-Saharan African migrants coming from Europe. Human Rights Watch (HRW) denounced the decree on December 19, 2023, claiming that Tunisia’s use of the decree is in breach of Article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the right to liberty.

Moussi would be barred from running for office as a presidential candidate if her sentencing is upheld in future proceedings. Tunisian President Kais Saied submitted his official candidacy for the October 6 election on Monday.