Khaberni - Tunisian comedy star Lotfi Abdeli said on Friday that a Tunisian court had sentenced him in absentia to 18 months in prison after a play he presented four years ago.
Abdeli described the judgment to Reuters as politically motivated, aiming to stifle critical voices and free creativity.
Speaking over the phone from Paris, where he has been living for years, Abdeli added, "This judgment aims to intimidate artists and silence free and critical voices," he continued, saying: "It can only be a political judgment".
"I was pained immediately upon hearing the judgment, but I also feel pride because it adds to my many artistic achievements and global accolades since I am being imprisoned because of a play, my stances, and freedom of expression," he continued.
Local media reported that the court directed on Thursday allegations against Abdeli of "insulting a public officer and attributing false matters to him" and "assault on good morals".
The case dates back years following a complaint from a security union against Abdeli after a theatrical show in Sfax that saw tensions with security forces present at the time and where he satirically criticized the police.
Over the past few months, Abdeli has intensified his criticism of President Kais Saied regarding how he is handling the country's situation.
Abdeli, who is also a famous movie and television star, has been performing his theatrical shows for years in fully packed theaters, attracting thousands of viewers.
He has long used satire to mock all political actors in Tunisia, depicting them in a caricatured manner.
