Tunisia frees prominent lawyer and critic of President Saied
Summary
Tunisia freed Sonia Dahmani, a lawyer and media commentator who criticized President Kais Saied, after she spent a year and a half in prison. Her arrest led to protests and international criticism, as she was initially jailed for remarks made on television. Dahmani's release comes amid a broader crackdown on dissent in Tunisia under President Saied's expanded powers.Key Facts
- Sonia Dahmani, a Tunisian lawyer and critic of President Saied, was released after 18 months in prison.
- She was convicted for comments made on TV that questioned Tunisia's stance on migrants and allegedly insulted the country.
- Her imprisonment sparked local protests and drew international criticism for stifling dissent.
- The justice minister issued her release order under a system allowing early release after serving half a sentence.
- President Saied has increased his powers and jailed critics since assuming more control in a 2021 power grab.
- Rights groups and international organizations have noted an increase in arbitrary arrests and crackdowns on freedom of speech in Tunisia.
- A new constitution and strict "fake news" law under President Saied have led to the prosecution of media figures and critics.
- Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch report that arrests of activists, politicians, and journalists have increased significantly under Saied's presidency.
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