The Monastir appeal court has upheld a primary verdict in Tunisia’s Muhammad cartoon case.

In March, Jabeur Mejri and Ghazi Beji were sentenced to 7-and-a-half years in prison over the publishing of caricatures of the prophet Muhammad , and books criticising Islam. Mejri appealed the verdict, but Beji, who was sentenced in absentia fled to Europe.

Defence lawyer Ahmed Msalmi described today’s ruling as “severe”, and “incompatible with human rights”. “Such a severe verdict can be considered a form of torture,” Mslami told AFP.

“The defendant suffers from behaviour disorders, and there are also social conditions that need to be take into account”, he added.

The court had previously refused the defence team’s request to examine Mejri’s mental state.