For 'offending the president'

One of Tunisia’s leading comedians has been arrested for ’offending’ the president.

Reports say that satirist Migalo, whose real name is Wassim Lahrissi, has been detained alongside TV presenter Moez Ben Gharbia.

Prosecutors say the pair will remain in jail until they appear in court on March 25.

Migalo recently pretended to be Tunisian president Beji Caid Essebsi in a prank call to a businessman for radio station Mosaique FM - but it is not known if this is what triggered the arrest.

Prosecutors told reporters: ‘We will not enter into the details of the case’

Essebsi, who won Tunisia's first free presidential election in December, had pledged to respect freedom of expression.

Human Rights Watch say Tunisia’s constitution ‘containsseveral weaknesses and ambiguities, which could be used to suppress rights such as freedom of expression’.

Published: 13 Mar 2015