Archive · 6 Dec 2025
Tunisians Protest Saied's Crackdown on Opposition
People in Tunisia are protesting against their president, Kais Saied.
They say he is being too strict and putting people in jail who disagree with him.
Last week, a court gave long jail sentences to many opposition leaders, businesspeople, and lawyers.
The protesters want these people to be freed and are saying that being in the opposition should not be a crime.
They are also upset because the president has been making big changes in how the country is run, and they think he is becoming too powerful.
A big union in Tunisia has even called for a strike in January to protest these changes.
Tunisians protested for the third straight week against President Kais Saied's crackdown on opposition.
An appeals court sentenced dozens of opposition leaders, businesspeople, and lawyers to up to 45 years in jail on charges of conspiracy to overthrow Saied.
Protesters demanded the release of political prisoners and carried banners reading 'opposition not a crime' and 'Free Tunisia'.
The powerful UGTT union called a nationwide strike on January 21 to protest restrictions on rights and freedoms.
Saied shut down parliament and began ruling by decree in 2021, which the opposition called a coup.
- Who
- Tunisians, President Kais Saied, opposition leaders, UGTT union
- What
- Protests against President Saied's crackdown on opposition
- When
- December 6, 2023 (third straight week)
- Where
- Tunis, Tunisia
- Why
- To protest against Saied's crackdown on opposition and demand the release of political prisoners
- Date
- December 6, 2023
- Location
- Tunis, Tunisia
- Protest Duration
- Third straight week
- Jail Terms
- Up to 45 years
- Strike Date
- January 21, 2024