Tunisian police have arrested outspoken lawmaker Ahmed Saidani in what appears to be a fresh escalation in the crackdown on critics of President Kais Saied.
Two of Saidani’s parliamentary colleagues confirmed the arrest on Wednesday, saying security agents detained the legislator without publicly disclosing the charges against him.
Saidani has emerged in recent months as one of the fiercest critics of President Saied, repeatedly accusing the government of authoritarianism and political repression. His arrest comes amid growing concern over shrinking political freedoms in Tunisia.
On Tuesday, the lawmaker mocked the president in a Facebook post, describing Saied as the “supreme commander of sewage and rainwater drainage” while accusing him of presiding over a country with no tangible achievements. The post quickly circulated online, drawing sharp reactions from supporters and critics of the president.
Human rights groups have warned that Tunisia is witnessing an intensifying campaign against dissent, with politicians, journalists and activists increasingly targeted for arrest or prosecution over public statements.
President Saied, who consolidated power in 2021 by dissolving parliament and ruling by decree, has rejected accusations of authoritarianism, insisting that his actions are necessary to fight corruption and stabilise the country.
Saidani’s arrest is likely to deepen fears that criticism of the president, especially on social media, is now being treated as a criminal offence in Tunisia’s tightening political climate.
