Tunisians demonstrate against President Saied following a suppression of dissenting voices

Pressure on President Kais Saied’s administration increased on Friday when Tunisians staged a large-scale demonstration calling for democracy, freedoms, and an end to the arbitrary arrest of opponents and critics.

Since the arrest of well-known attorney Ahmed Souab, the opening of a new tab, and the imprisonment of opposition leaders on conspiracy accusations last week, the government has been widely criticized for cracking down on dissent.

With the banner “Free Tunisia, Free Ahmed Souab,” demonstrators marched from the Journalists’ union offices to the capital’s Habib Bourguiba Avenue, where hundreds of riot police were stationed.

They shouted things like “It’s your turn, Saied, dictator,” and “The people want the fall of the regime,” which was a slogan used by demonstrators in 2011 after weeks of protests overthrew previous President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.

Images of imprisoned journalists, politicians, and attorneys—including Souab, a vociferous critic of Saied—were displayed by protesters.

Political parties, civic society, and rights organizations were incensed at Souab’s detention, claiming it was a risky extension of the assault on dissent and further solidified the nation’s authoritarian regime.

Since he disbanded parliament in 2021 and started making decisions by decree, the opposition claims Saied has had complete authority over the court. In 2022, he dismissed scores of judges and disbanded the independent Supreme Judicial Council. They called the action a coup.

The long sentences given to opposition leaders and businesses on conspiracy charges last week were criticized by France, Germany, and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, who said that the requirements for a fair trial were not fulfilled.

The trial, which began in March, involved 40 defendants. Since being charged, almost 20 have escaped overseas.

Businessman Kamel Ltaif was given a maximum penalty of 66 years, according to attorneys, while opposition leader Khyam Turki was given a 48-year sentence.

In 2023, Saied claimed that the politicians were “traitors and terrorists” and that the judges who would find them not guilty were complicit in their plot.