Tunisian president eases cybercrime penalties after rights groups' criticism

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Tunisian President Kais Saied eased penalties under a cybercrime decree after rights groups criticized it as a tool for suppressing dissent. The change followed civil society groups' announcement of a major protest march against restrictions on rights and freedoms.

By Tarek Amara TUNIS, Sept 30 (Reuters) - Tunisian President Kais Saied on Wednesday eased penalties under a cybercrime decree that human rights groups had said was designed to muzzle dissent. The move marks a rare retreat by Saied since he consolidated control over much of Tunisia's political system in 2021 and came hours after civil society groups, led by the UGTT union, announced plans for a large national march in protest against what they see as curbs on rights and freedoms.