Concerns Rise as Tunisian Police Detain Lawyer and Journalists Amid Protests
In a move that has sparked widespread concern, Tunisian police entered the Deanship of Lawyers on Saturday, detaining prominent lawyer Sonia Dahmani, who has been vocal in her criticism of President Kais Saied. Eyewitnesses reported that Dahmani, recognized for her outspoken stance, was taken into custody along with two journalists from IFM radio, Mourad Zghidi and Borhen Bsaiss. The journalists’ syndicate confirmed the arrests, while attempts to reach the interior ministry for a statement were unsuccessful.
The arrests are part of a growing pattern of actions against activists, journalists, and civil society members who have expressed dissent towards President Saied’s administration. This recent crackdown has intensified the debate about the government’s trajectory, with many fearing a slide into authoritarianism as presidential elections loom on the horizon.
Dahmani’s arrest followed her appearance on a television program where she described Tunisia as an unpleasant place to live, a comment made in response to President Saied’s remarks about an alleged conspiracy involving undocumented migrants. After being summoned by a judge on charges of spreading rumors and threatening public security, Dahmani requested a delay in the investigation, which was denied.
In reaction to these events, dozens of lawyers staged protests on Saturday evening. They marched with banners affirming their commitment to their profession and their determination to persist in their struggle for justice.
President Saied, who was democratically elected in 2019, has since consolidated power by dissolving parliament and assuming control over the judiciary. Although Tunisia has enjoyed greater press freedom since the 2011 revolution, there is growing alarm among politicians, journalists, and unions over what they perceive as an imminent threat to media liberty under Saied’s rule. Despite these concerns, the president has dismissed allegations of authoritarianism and insists he will not become a dictator.
