Tunisia activist arrest intensifies criticism of President Kais Saied’s crackdown on dissent amid mass trial and public unrest.
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| Tunisians chant slogans against the president and hold placards during a demonstration organized by NGOs and political parties in Tunis on November 29, 2025, calling for the release of political prisoners and greater freedom of expression. Photo by Fethi Belaid/AFP/Getty Images |
The Tunisia activist arrest of poet and political figure Chaima Issa has become a powerful symbol of the nation’s deteriorating climate for civil liberties, intensifying concerns about a sweeping crackdown under President Kais Saied. The Tunisia activist arrest took place on Saturday during a protest in Tunis, where hundreds gathered to voice alarm over what they view as systematic efforts to curtail free expression and restrict political dissent. The incident unfolded just one day after a mass appeal trial handed severe sentences to dozens of Saied’s critics, igniting further public anger and prompting national and international reactions.
Issa, who received a 20-year sentence during Friday’s mass trial, was attending the rally when plainclothes officers seized her, according to witnesses and her legal team. She has long been an outspoken critic of the government and was a prominent figure in opposition movements that emerged after Saied expanded his powers in 2021. Her sudden detention in the middle of the protest shocked many, not only because of her public profile but also because of the symbolic timing.
Her lawyer, Samir Dilou, described the moment officers approached her. He said they appeared without warning, grabbed Issa, and forced her into a vehicle as protesters watched in disbelief. Dilou argued that authorities could have arrested her peacefully after Friday’s verdict instead of staging what he called a dramatic and unnecessary scene. According to him, Issa had no intention of fleeing and was protesting openly, showing that she was not attempting to avoid justice. Her supporters echoed this sentiment, saying the Tunisia activist arrest felt designed to intimidate other protesters into silence.
The demonstration was organized by two prominent women’s rights groups, the Association of Democratic Women and Aswat Nissa. These organizations have repeatedly raised concerns about what they describe as a growing pattern of repression under Saied’s administration. Their rally on Saturday drew activists, civil society leaders, and ordinary citizens who fear that hard-won freedoms are under threat. They carried banners, chanted slogans, and demanded accountability from the government as they marched through the capital.
Among the voices calling for action was Nadia Benhamed, a senior member of the Association of Democratic Women. She emphasized that Saturday’s demonstration was a direct response to the state’s intensified pressure on journalists, activists, and political opponents. She accused authorities of systematically stifling free voices and treating criticism as a crime rather than a democratic right. Benhamed said freedom of expression and thought must remain essential pillars of Tunisian society, particularly because the country once stood as the sole democratic success story of the Arab Spring.
Her statements were echoed by many other protesters, including activist Manel Othmani, who stressed that Tunisians have fought for their freedoms and will not surrender them. Othmani insisted that the government cannot be allowed to reverse the progress achieved since the 2011 revolution. She described the current period as one of the most dangerous moments for Tunisian democracy, noting that the Tunisia activist arrest only reinforced fears that dissent is being systematically targeted.
Friday’s mass appeal trial was central to the escalating mood of anger and frustration. According to court documents, around 40 public figures were sentenced to between 20 and 45 years in prison on charges of conspiracy against state security and belonging to a terrorist organization. Many of those convicted were well-known critics of Saied, including political leaders, journalists, and activists who had spoken out against the president’s consolidation of power.
The trial reduced previous sentences, which in April had reached up to 66 years, but human rights advocates argue that the severity of the verdicts still represents a weaponization of the justice system. Lawyers and experts have warned that these punishments are part of a broader strategy to intimidate opponents and silence political discourse. Some defendants were accused of attempting to destabilize state institutions, while others were charged under a controversial law Saied enacted in 2022 that criminalizes spreading false news. Critics say the law’s vague language enables authorities to prosecute anyone who publicly challenges the administration.
The Tunisia activist arrest of Issa took place less than 24 hours after the trial concluded, leading many activists to believe that her detention was planned in conjunction with the verdicts. They argue that removing high-profile dissenters from public view is a deliberate tactic meant to discourage demonstrations and prevent organized resistance to Saied’s policies.
Since Kais Saied dismissed parliament and began ruling by decree in 2021, Tunisia has experienced a profound shift away from the democratic institutions established after the Arab Spring. Rights groups, both domestic and international, have documented a significant decline in civil liberties. They warn that Tunisia is moving toward authoritarianism as the president expands his control over the judiciary, security forces, and media landscape.
Dozens of critics have been detained over the past three years, many of them charged with terrorism-related offenses. Activists and journalists regularly report harassment, surveillance, and arbitrary arrests. Civil society organizations that once thrived in the more open environment of the past decade now operate under increased pressure, with many fearing reprisals for speaking out.
The Tunisia activist arrest has reinforced these concerns, serving as a stark reminder of how quickly dissent can be met with state force. Observers say the symbolic nature of Issa’s detention at a public protest demonstrates the authorities’ willingness to use visible and aggressive methods to assert control.
The European Parliament’s vote on Thursday added to the mounting international scrutiny. Lawmakers called for the release of all individuals detained for exercising their right to freedom of expression, including political prisoners and human rights defenders. The vote signaled growing concern across Europe about Tunisia’s direction and its treatment of dissidents.
However, President Saied dismissed the resolution as an unacceptable intrusion into Tunisia’s internal affairs. He described the European Union’s stance as blatant interference and insisted that his country could teach others about rights and freedoms. His comments reflected a broader narrative in which Saied portrays criticism as an attack on Tunisia’s sovereignty rather than a legitimate concern over democratic backsliding.
As Tunisia grapples with the implications of the mass trial and the Tunisia activist arrest, the country faces an uncertain future. The protest in Tunis demonstrated that many citizens remain determined to defend their rights, yet the risks of doing so have grown significantly. With political tensions rising and civil liberties under pressure, activists warn that the country is approaching a critical moment that could shape its trajectory for years to come.
Issa’s arrest has become more than just the detention of a single activist; it has become a symbol of a country wrestling with its identity and struggling to preserve the freedoms won after the revolution. Whether Tunisia can reverse its downward democratic spiral remains unclear, but Saturday’s events have made one thing certain: the fight for freedom is far from over.
