Tunisian Association of Sociology expresses concern over defamation campaigns targeting Professor Mouldi Guessoumi
via Business News2 min read
The Tunisian Association of Sociology expressed deep concern on Friday, April 17, 2026, regarding defamation and denigration campaigns targeting Professor-Researcher Mouldi Guessoumi, calling it a serious attack on academic freedoms. The association stated that these attacks intensified on social media following Guessoumi's media appearances, peaking after an interview published on the Al Qatiba website. The criticism, they noted, has moved beyond intellectual debate to target Guessoumi personally, as well as his family, region, and affiliated academic institutions. The association highlighted Guessoumi's role as a higher education professor at a Tunisian university, a sociology researcher, and an active member of their organization. They emphasized his diverse work in political sociology, the sociology of organizations and social movements, and development sociology, recognizing him as a "recognized scientific expert" committed to knowledge, democracy, and social justice. The association stressed that these campaigns attack Guessoumi's person, not his ideas, which they view as a "clear violation" of the rights to thought, expression, and publication. They reiterated that academic debate should involve the confrontation of arguments and ideas, adhering to scientific and ethical rules without personal attacks. The association believes these attacks are part of a broader trend to marginalize intellectuals and researchers, fostering a "populist" environment. They warned that suc
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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.
A recent exchange between Zouhair Maghzaoui, Secretary General of the Echaâb Movement, and former Head of Government Hichem Mechichi has reignited debate about the responsibility of political parties in the period before July 25, 2021. On Friday, April 17, 2026, Maghzaoui described the pre-July 25 democracy as "corrupt" and "empty of all social content," stating that support for the July 25 political shift aimed to establish a "true democracy" based on social programs and justice, though he admitted this transformation has not occurred. He downplayed current divisions, suggesting broad agreement on fighting corruption, establishing a social state, and combating monopolies. Hichem Mechichi responded by recalling a personal encounter where Maghzaoui allegedly requested the appointment of a relative to lead the Kebili governorate, stating, "It was indeed corrupt, this democracy that allowed people like you to access its institutions." This exchange highlights the Echaâb Movement's role in the period now criticized, as the party was part of the parliamentary democratic bloc, participated in the majority, and was included in the executive, notably in the government of Elyes Fakhfakh. The article suggests that the "corrupt democracy" denounced by Maghzaoui is one to which his party contributed, raising questions about accountability for past actions within a system now widely criticized in political discourse.
Must ReadThe situation surrounding the Strait of Hormuz has escalated again after contradictory statements from Washington and Tehran. On Friday, April 17, 2026, Iranian authorities announced the full reopening of the strait during ongoing negotiations, a move seemingly confirmed by US President Donald Trump, who acknowledged the resumption of commercial navigation. However, Trump also stated that the naval blockade on Iranian ports would remain, citing it as leverage in discussions, particularly concerning Tehran's nuclear program. This decision prompted a strong reaction from Iran. On Saturday, April 18, the Khatam Al-Anbiya operational command, in a statement relayed by official media, denounced the blockade as an act of "piracy" and declared that the Strait of Hormuz had returned to its "previous state," now under the "strict management and control of the armed forces." Tehran is now conditioning any effective reopening on the lifting of the American blockade, demanding the restoration of "complete freedom of navigation" for vessels to and from its ports. This reversal immediately revives uncertainties about the real status of this essential maritime route, through which nearly 20% of global oil supplies transited before the tensions. This sequence highlights a fundamental divergence: Washington speaks of opening the strait while maintaining maximum economic pressure, while Tehran believes this opening is meaningless as long as its own commercial flows remain obstructed. In a cont
Lawyer Dalila Ben Mbarek Msaddek's address to the European Parliament's Human Rights Commission on Friday, April 17, 2026, has generated significant reactions in Tunisia, particularly within government-aligned circles, where it was criticized as an appeal for foreign interference. During her hearing, Msaddek presented an alarming picture of the judicial situation in Tunisia since July 25, 2021, stating that discussing fair trials could lead to criminal prosecution, citing procedures against herself for public stances. She described the judicial system as deeply compromised, highlighting "accused without crime," "crimes without evidence," and "heavy sentences without effective defense," asserting these are systemic issues, not isolated incidents. A significant portion of her intervention focused on the alleged "conspiracy" case against state security, which she presented as emblematic of these abuses. She mentioned serious accusations, including attempted presidential assassination and alleged ties to foreign diplomats, while claiming no material evidence exists in the case file. She also pointed to the use of anonymous testimonies and the lack of hearings for the accused since their detention in February 2023. Several political figures and civil society members have received heavy sentences in this context, including her brother, constitutionalist Jaouhar Ben Mbarek, who was sentenced to 20 years in prison and is currently on a hunger strike. Msaddek called on the European Un