Tunisia: Angry Protests on Republic Day, Accusations Against Saied of Turning the Country into an "Open Prison"

On the occasion of Tunisian Republic Day, citizens in the capital Tunis protested to demand the release of political detainees, accusing President Kais Saied of turning the country into an "open prison."

Authorities have stated on several occasions that all detainees in the country are being tried on criminal charges such as "conspiring against state security" or "corruption," and denied the presence of detainees for political reasons.

The protest, organized on Habib Bourguiba Avenue in the capital, was called for by the opposition "National Salvation Front," the "Coordination of Families of Political Prisoners," and the Republican Party (opposition).

Tunisia celebrates Republic Day on July 25th each year, marking the establishment of the Tunisian National Constituent Assembly on this day in 1957, abolishing the monarchy and establishing the republic.

The demonstration coincides with the fourth anniversary of Saied's almost complete takeover of power, when the elected parliament was dissolved in 2021, and governance began through decrees in a step described by the opposition as a coup against democracy.

Hundreds of protesters raised slogans during the demonstration, including "We are adamant about releasing the detainees."

In a speech during the protest, the head of the National Salvation Front, Ahmed Najib Chebbi, called for "the release of political prisoners."

He called for organizing a "national dialogue among all forces committed to the goals of the revolution (2010) and to the principles of democracy and the foundations of the republican system, through an unconditional comprehensive dialogue to save Tunisia," according to his statement.