Tunisian journalist released on bail after arrest for criticising defamation law

Tunisian journalist Zied Heni was released from police custody on Thursday morning after his arrest on suspicion of ‘insulting the head of state’.

He was released on bail and is expected to face trial, although a date has not been set.

Mr Heni, who hosts a daily radio programme, was arrested for his explanation of a new decree issued by President Kais Saied last September.

The decree states that anyone found to have used information networks to “produce, promote, publish, transmit or prepare false news, statements, rumours or forged documents” to target the rights of others or harm public security and national defence could face a five-year prison sentence and a fine of 50,000 Tunisian dinars ($15,600).

“I told the prosecutor today that it’s unbelievable to put someone behind bars for explaining a law,” Mr Heni told media outlets upon his release in front of the Tunis Justice Palace.

According to the law, the punishment for defamation is doubled if the target is a public official.

The decree has mostly been used to target those critical of Mr Saied, including politicians, bloggers, activists and journalists.

Before his arrest, Mr Heni devoted time on his morning radio show to explaining the text of the decree criminalising any act that might be labelled as an offence against the president.

Mr Heni's arrest is the latest incident in a broad crackdown on liberties in Tunisia. In recent months more than 20 opposition figures have been detained over "national security concerns".

Meanwhile, Mr Saied has denied all accusations relating to the erosion of freedoms in Tunisia, and accused those reporting on the situation of having ulterior motives.

How the UAE gratuity payment is calculated now

Employees leaving an organisation are entitled to an end-of-service gratuity after completing at least one year of service.

The tenure is calculated on the number of days worked and does not include lengthy leave periods, such as a sabbatical. If you have worked for a company between one and five years, you are paid 21 days of pay based on your final basic salary. After five years, however, you are entitled to 30 days of pay. The total lump sum you receive is based on the duration of your employment.

1. For those who have worked between one and five years, on a basic salary of Dh10,000 (calculation based on 30 days):

a. Dh10,000 ÷ 30 = Dh333.33. Your daily wage is Dh333.33

b. Dh333.33 x 21 = Dh7,000. So 21 days salary equates to Dh7,000 in gratuity entitlement for each year of service. Multiply this figure for every year of service up to five years.

2. For those who have worked more than five years

c. 333.33 x 30 = Dh10,000. So 30 days’ salary is Dh10,000 in gratuity entitlement for each year of service.

Note: The maximum figure cannot exceed two years total salary figure.

If you go

The flights
There are various ways of getting to the southern Serengeti in Tanzania from the UAE. The exact route and airstrip depends on your overall trip itinerary and which camp you’re staying at.
Flydubai flies direct from Dubai to Kilimanjaro International Airport from Dh1,350 return, including taxes; this can be followed by a short flight from Kilimanjaro to the Serengeti with Coastal Aviation from about US$700 (Dh2,500) return, including taxes. Kenya Airways, Emirates and Etihad offer flights via Nairobi or Dar es Salaam.

Du Football Champions

The fourth season of du Football Champions was launched at Gitex on Wednesday alongside the Middle East’s first sports-tech scouting platform.“du Talents”, which enables aspiring footballers to upload their profiles and highlights reels and communicate directly with coaches, is designed to extend the reach of the programme, which has already attracted more than 21,500 players in its first three years.

The biog

Favourite book: Men are from Mars Women are from Venus

Favourite travel destination: Ooty, a hill station in South India

Hobbies: Cooking. Biryani, pepper crab are her signature dishes

Favourite place in UAE: Marjan Island

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