馃嚬馃嚦TunisiaNorth Africa
Lotfi Abdelli responds to 18-month prison sentence for stage performance
via Business News1 min read
Actor and comedian Lotfi Abdelli reacted to his 18-month prison sentence on Saturday, April 18, 2026, describing himself as a "criminal of jokes" and a "words trafficker." The sentence was handed down in absentia by the correctional chamber of the Sfax 1 Court of First Instance. The case originated from a performance at the International Festival of Sfax in the summer of 2022, which led to a complaint from a security forces union regarding allegedly offensive remarks. The court found Abdelli guilty on three counts: insulting a public official, attributing unproven facts to a public agent, and offending public morals, each carrying a six-month sentence. Abdelli, who resides abroad, can still challenge the decision. The article highlights that the charges stem from words spoken in an artistic context, involving exaggeration, satire, and provocation, which are considered essential elements of humor. It suggests that turning an artistic performance into a criminal matter blurs the line between justice and creative freedom, indicating a climate where artistic expression is increasingly vulnerable.
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