Tunisians Denounce 'Open-Air Prison' Under President Saied's Authoritarian Rule

Hundreds of Tunisians took to the streets in the capital to protest President Kais Saied's increasingly authoritarian rule, marking the fourth anniversary of his power grab on July 25, 2021. Demonstrators carried portraits of political prisoners and symbolic cages, calling the country an 'open-air prison' and demanding the release of jailed opposition figures, including Rached Ghannouchi. Protesters accused Saied of stifling political freedoms and consolidating power, with many labeling his regime as dictatorial. The rallies reflect growing frustration over the lack of democratic reforms and ongoing political repression. Calls for the fall of Saied's regime and restoration of democracy were central themes throughout the demonstrations.