Tunisians Rally Against President Saied, Describe Nation as an ‘Open-Air Prison’

On Friday, hundreds of activists in Tunis, the capital of Tunisia, protested against President Kais Saied’s government. The demonstrators accused Saied of establishing an “authoritarian regime” and claimed that Tunisia has become an “open-air prison” under his rule. This protest reflects growing discontent among segments of the population regarding political freedoms, human rights, and the direction of governance in Tunisia since Saied’s consolidation of power in 2021.

(Image credits | Reuters)

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Marching down Habib Bourguiba Avenue under the banner “The Republic is a large prison,” demonstrators called for the release of jailed opposition leaders, journalists, and civil society activists.

Chanting slogans such as “No fear, no terror. the streets belong to the people” and “The people want the fall of the regime,” they denounced what they see as Saied’s steady dismantling of Tunisia’s democratic institutions.

The protest coincided with the fourth anniversary of Saied’s 2021 power grab, when he suspended the elected parliament and began ruling by decree — a move the opposition widely condemned as a coup.

“Tunisia under Saied has plunged into repression,” protesters said, pointing to waves of arrests and prosecutions targeting dissenting voices.

“Our first aim is to resist tyranny, restore democracy, and demand the release of political prisoners,” said Monia Ibrahim, wife of detained opposition figure Abdelhamid Jelassi.

In 2022, Saied dissolved the independent Supreme Judicial Council and dismissed dozens of judges actions critics said were designed to tighten his grip on power. Saied has maintained he does not interfere with the judiciary and insists that accountability applies to all.

Nonetheless, many prominent opposition leaders remain behind bars, including Rached Ghannouchi of the Islamist Ennahda party and Abir Moussi of the secular Free Constitutional Party. They are among dozens of politicians, lawyers, and journalists facing harsh sentences under Tunisia’s anti-terror and conspiracy laws.

Some dissidents have fled the country and are now seeking asylum abroad.

Last year, Saied labeled his political opponents “traitors and terrorists” and warned that any judges who acquit them would be considered complicit.

“Prisons are overflowing with Saied’s critics, activists, journalists, and lawyers,” said Saib Souab, son of jailed legal scholar Ahmed Souab. “Tunisia has become an open-air prison. Even those not imprisoned live in a constant state of fear, at risk of arrest at any moment.”