Sonia Dahmani, a 59-year-old Tunisian lawyer and prominent media personality, is widely known for her appearances on radio and TV programs such as Emission Impossible on IFM Radio and Denya Zida on Carthage+. She had been imprisoned since May 11, 2024, when security forces arrested her at the Tunisian Bar Association’s office in Tunis for allegedly spreading false information. At the time of her arrest, she was facing five separate legal proceedings, all linked to her exercise of the right to freedom of expression.
During her detention, Dahmani was held in Manouba prison under cruel and inhuman conditions, including exposure to extreme cold and a lack of access to basic necessities.
She was released the same day the European Parliament adopted a resolution expressing deep concern over Tunisia’s deteriorating press freedom climate and urging authorities to free Dahmani and other detained journalists.
Despite her release, the details surrounding the decision remain unclear. Her sister, Ramla Dahmani, told CPJ: “I spoke with Sonia by phone moments after learning the news, and she told me that she had been informed only minutes beforehand of the release and without explanation.” She added, “Sonia is home, at least.”
Several media outlets reported that her release was conditional, though authorities have not disclosed any terms. However, her lawyer, Sami Ben Ghazi, told CPJ that the release is “unconditional.” He added that “the remaining charges were not dropped, she is still facing three trials, one of them tomorrow morning.”
Dahmani also faces two additional outstanding cases under the same cybercrime law, which carry combined potential sentences of up to 20 years, according to Ben Ghazi. He noted that her release order did not impose any restrictions on her ability to travel or work.
At Free Press Alliance, we welcome the release of Tunisian lawyer Sonia Dahmani, but we urge authorities to drop all remaining charges and end all forms of judicial harassment against her.