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Add TN as a preferred source on GoogleThe Official Gazette of the Republic of Tunisia (JORT) published, on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, Decree No. 1 of 2026 amending Decree-Law No. 54 of September 13, 2022, concerning the fight against offences related to information and communication systems. The new text fully replaces the previous provisions of Article 24, without abolishing the article itself.
The decree uses the legal formula stating that “the provisions of Article 24 are repealed and replaced by the following provisions.”
Therefore, this is not an abolition of Article 24 of Decree-Law 54, but rather a rewriting of its content and its penalty regime.
The new article continues, in particular, to cover the use of information and communication networks and systems to produce, disseminate, publish or transmit false news, data or rumors, as well as fabricated or falsified documents or documents falsely attributed to others, when they meet the purposes listed in the text.
What has changed in the penalties?
The most significant change concerns the penalties applicable in cases where there is no repeat offence.
In its 2022 version, Article 24 provided for five years of imprisonment and a fine of 50,000 dinars for offences covered by its first two paragraphs. The penalties were doubled when the person concerned was a public official or equivalent.
The new Article 24 now provides, for the acts covered by its first two paragraphs, for a fine ranging from 10,000 to 20,000 dinars. No prison sentence is provided for in these two paragraphs in the absence of a repeat offence.
Six months in prison in the event of a repeat offence
The new text, however, introduces a specific provision concerning repeat offences.
When a person commits again one of the offences provided for in the first two paragraphs of Article 24, the penalty is set at six months of imprisonment and a fine of 50,000 dinars.
The decree also maintains the principle that penalties are doubled when the person concerned is a public official or equivalent.
Finally, the new article specifies that the provisions of Article 53 of the Penal Code do not apply to the offences provided for in this article in the event of a repeat offence.
The decree published on September 30
Decree No. 1 of 2026 is dated September 30, 2026 and provides for its publication in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Tunisia.
The published text contains only two articles: the first replaces Article 24 of Decree-Law 54, while the second provides for its publication in the JORT. The decree does not specify any particular regime concerning proceedings that are already underway.
Key points: Article 24 of Decree-Law No. 54 has been amended.
The JORT published on September 30, 2026 repealed the previous wording and replaced it with a new version.
The new version provides, in the absence of a repeat offence, for a fine ranging from 10,000 to 20,000 dinars.
In the event of a repeat offence, the penalty is six months of imprisonment and a fine of 50,000 dinars.
Penalties remain doubled when the person concerned is a public official or equivalent.
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