Tunisia protesters say country is now an “open-air prison”
Protesters rally against Tunisian President Kais Saied on the fourth anniversary of his power grab, in Tunis, Tunisia, July 25, 2025. Demonstrators denounced Saied’s rule as authoritarian, calling the country an "open-air prison" and demanding the release of jailed opposition figures, journalists, and activists. REUTERS/Jihed Abidellaoui
Hundreds of protesters in Tunisia marched through central Tunis to denounce President Kais Saied’s rule, accusing him of turning the country into an “open-air prison” and demanding the release of detained opposition leaders, activists, and journalists, reported by the New Arab and agencies on July 25th.
Rallying under the slogan “The Republic is a large prison,” demonstrators filled Habib Bourguiba Avenue, chanting, “no fear, no terror … streets belong to the people” and “The people want the fall of the regime.”
The demonstration marked four years since Saied seized sweeping powers by dissolving the elected parliament in 2021 and ruling by decree, a move opponents call a coup. Since then, rights groups and political activists have accused Saied of steering Tunisia into authoritarianism.
Many of his critics now face lengthy prison terms, while others have fled the country to seek asylum abroad. Protests have become more frequent and constantly face crackdowns.
Monia Ibrahim, the wife of jailed opposition figure Abdelhamid Jelassi, said: “Our first aim is to battle against tyranny to restore democracy and to demand the release of the political detainees.”
In 2022, Saied dismantled the Supreme Judicial Council and dismissed dozens of judges. Critics saw this as an attempt to eliminate judicial independence and consolidate one-man rule. Saied maintains he does not interfere in the judiciary and insists accountability must apply to all, regardless of status.
Prominent opposition leaders Rached Ghannouchi and Abir Moussi remain behind bars, along with numerous politicians, lawyers and journalists charged under anti-terror and conspiracy laws. In 2023, Saied labelled his critics “traitors and terrorists” and said judges who acquitted them were accomplices.
“Prisons are crowded with Saied’s opponents, activists, journalists,” said Saib Souab, son of jailed lawyer Ahmed Souab. “Tunisia has turned into an open-air prison. … Even those not behind bars live in a state of temporary freedom, constantly at risk of arrest for any reason.”
The New Arab and agencies, Maghrebi.org
Want to chase the pulse of North Africa?
Subscribe to receive our FREE weekly PDF magazine
