Tunisian Authorities Arrest and Release Cartoonist

Facts

• A day after arresting cartoonist Tawfiq Omrane, who is well-known for mocking Tunisian Pres. Kais Saied, Tunisia's public prosecutor announced that the satirist was released after hours of questioning related to drawings mocking the prime minister.¹
• Omrane told a Tunisian radio station that 'they interrogated me on suspicion of insulting the prime minister. They showed a drawing that they considered offensive.'²
• Omrane reportedly affirmed that he would continue to make his satirical drawings.¹
• Interior Ministry officials declined to comment, but earlier this week, Pres. Saied called out state TV for its criticism of Omrane's arrest. Saied also rejected accusations that the government is suppressing speech.³
• Earlier this year, Tunisian authorities arrested several politicians, former ministers, businessmen, trade unionists, and the owner of Tunisia's most prominent radio station, Mosaique FM. Pres. Saied said those detained were involved in a 'conspiracy against state security.'⁴
• Saied suspended parliament in July 2021 before holding a referendum last summer that allowed him to change the constitution. He has continually defended his actions as necessary against a backdrop of civil unrest.⁵

Sources: ¹Reuters, ²English, ³Middle east monitor, ⁴France 24 and ⁵Al Jazeera.

Narratives

• Narrative A, as provided by Guardian. Though Saied 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.
• Narrative B, as provided by Al mayadeen english. Tunisians are tired of the corruption and dysfunction brought by the country's so-called 'post-Arab Spring parties.' The country was on the brink of collapse before Saied dissolved parliament, and his actions were and continue to be necessary to maintain order and stability.