Tunisians protest against Sayed over arrest and economic crisis

Hundreds of Tunisians protested in the capital Tunis on Saturday against President Kais Saied, accusing him of undermining freedoms and being responsible for a worsening economic and social crisis, Reuters reports.

The protest was held under the slogan: "The people are hungry, and the prisons are full."

The protesters demanded an end to one-man rule and carried banners condemning the arrests of politicians, journalists and civil society representatives, amid concerns about the spread of crackdowns on dissent.

Protesters also criticized what they said was Syed's failure to deal with the economic crisis, while using the judiciary and police to silence critics.

Tunisia is facing serious economic pressures, weak growth, rising prices, shortages of medicines and certain foodstuffs, financing problems, and deteriorating public services.

Syed, who dissolved parliament and began ruling by decree in 2022, is facing growing criticism from human rights organizations, which claim he is dismantling the democratic system established after 2011.

Syed rejects the accusations, saying his measures are necessary to save the country from chaos and corruption.

The Bar Association has announced strikes in the coming days over the violation of the independence of the judiciary, while the journalists' union is planning protests against the imprisonment of journalists and restrictions on media freedom.

Authorities claim to be enforcing the law and reject accusations of political repression.