Tunisian woman, 27, is handed a six month jail sentence for ‘offending religion’ over her Facebook parody linking the Quran to coronavirus
- Tunisian Emna Chargui, 27, called the sentence today ‘unfair’ and ‘unjust’
- She reposted a joke about the coronavirus written as if it were a Koranic verse
- Hardline Islamists demanded that the 27-year-old be punished for the post
- Tunisia is a nation periodically polarised between secular and Islamist political wings since a revolution that introduced democracy nine years ago
A Tunisian court has sentenced blogger Emna Chargui to six months in prison and a £560 fine for reposting a Facebook joke about the coronavirus written as if it was a Koranic verse.
‘This is unfair and unjust … this proves that there is no freedom here,’ Chargui, 27, told Reuters from home where she had been waiting for the ruling.
She plans to appeal as allowed within 10 days.
Chargui’s sharing of the post in May angered some conservative social media users who demanded punishment in a nation periodically polarised between secular and Islamist political wings since a revolution that introduced democracy nine years ago.
In this file photo taken on May 28, 2020 Emna Charki (left), a 27-year-old Tunisian charged with offending common decency and incitement to violence, arrives at a court in the capital Tunis for her first trial hearing
Court spokesman Mohsen Dali said the sentence was on charges of inciting hate between religions and races.
The case has brought criticism from rights groups.
Saying she was a victim of a ‘repressive law’ that curtailed free speech, Amnesty International said the prosecution did not allow Chargui’s lawyer to accompany her to court, where she was asked about her religious beliefs and mental condition.
Amnesty also said that Chargui received ‘messages from people threatening to kill or rape her’, and that the authorities failed to take action or to investigate the threats.
‘It is unacceptable for someone to face a prison sentence of up to three years just for sharing a satirical post on Facebook,’ they wrote.
‘Such a trial sends a message that anyone who dares to express a controversial view on social media runs the risk of being punished.
‘We are calling on the authorities to immediately end her prosecution, investigate the worrying death and rape threats she has been receiving, and ensure she is protected.’
Chargui blogs on freedom and women’s issues.