Tunisia: Prominent Critics of President Saied Arrested

Facts

• Tunisian police on Monday arrested Noureddine Bhiri, a leading official in the largest and most prominent opposition party in Tunisia called 'Ennahdha.' Bhiri — an outspoken critic of Pres. Kais Saied — was arrested after authorities raided his home.¹
• Authorities also reportedly arrested Noureddine Boutar, the head of Mosaique FM, a radio station that has frequently broadcasted criticism of Saied. Lazhar Akremi, a prominent political activist and lawyer, was also reportedly arrested.¹
• Human rights groups estimated that, in total, 15 people were arrested in this latest crackdown that has included businessmen, judges, and security officials accused of “conspiring against state security.”²
• Critics of Saied and his government, most notably Ennahdha, have described the arrests as the 'kidnapping of Saied's opponents.' Thousands of protesters rallied in the capital Tunis last month, demanding that the government resign.³
• Tunisia's most recent elections have had considerably low voter turnout. The economy has also continued to deteriorate in recent years.⁴
• Saied, Tunisia's controversial leader, suspended parliament in July 2021 before holding a referendum this summer allowing him to change the constitution. He has continually defended his actions as necessary against a backdrop of civil unrest and an unstable economy.⁵

Sources: ¹France24, ²Al-awsat, ³BBC News, ⁴Itn and ⁵Ft.

Narratives

• Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by France24. President Saied is, yet again, using his power to strengthen his iron grip over Tunesia. Though he's said that he doesn't want to become an autocrat, his unscrupulous actions speak far louder. Using the growing pains of Tunisia's young democracy as a pretext, he has taken over the North African nation and is cracking down on dissent to guarantee his control over civil society. A national dialogue must be undertaken to save Tunisian democracy and align it with the norms of the international community.
• Establishment-critical narrative, as provided by Al mayadeen english. Tunisians are tired of the corruption and dysfunction brought by the country's post-Arab Spring parties, namely the Islamist Ennahda party. Tunisia was on the brink of collapse before Saied dissolved parliament, and his actions were and continue to be necessary to maintain order and stability.