A Tunisian inmate has been sentenced to six months in prison for refusing to watch a TV news segment featuring President Kais Saied, according to his lawyer and an NGO.

The incident occurred in the central town of Gafsa, where the local branch of the Tunisian League for Human Rights reported that the inmate had expressed his refusal to view presidential activities during a news broadcast on TV in his cell.

This action was reportedly taken after the inmate's cellmate informed authorities.

Following investigation and trial, the inmate received a six-month prison sentence for violating public decency, with the original charge of committing a crime against the head of state being revised to avoid any political connotations.

Critics argue that this case exemplifies a broader policy of suppressing dissenting voices within prisons.

The man's lawyer, Adel Sghaier, also noted that his client had been detained on unrelated charges that were dismissed but not expeditiously released him from custody.

This recent incident has reignited discussions about the state of individual freedoms in Tunisia under President Saied's leadership, especially considering his 2021 power grab and subsequent rule by decree.

The situation highlights concerns among local and international organizations regarding a perceived decline in civil liberties in the country that was pivotal to the Arab Spring uprisings.