Conflicts & War

Tunisians demand release of jailed dissidents

Tunis, Apr 9 (EFE).- Several hundred people in Tunisia took to the streets on Sunday to demand the release of dozens of political dissidents who have been in prison since February for “plotting against the state.”

Protesters displayed photos of the arrested dissidents while denouncing the crackdown, accusing authorities of persecuting rival politicians and critics and of keeping the detainees in “inhumane and humiliating” conditions.

Among those in jail are prominent opposition leader Jaouhar Ben Mbarek, activist Chaima Issa, the director of an independent radio station Noureddine Boutar and senior Ennahda Islamist party leader Noureddine Bhiri

Ahmed Nejib Chebbi, leader of the National Salvation Front that is organizing the protests, called for transparency as he took part in the rally, which comes days after claims that Tunisian president Kais Saied had been hospitalized for heart issues.

Saied, however, denied the reports and accused his critics of “fabricating” a crisis to seize power.

Saied, a former law professor, came to power in 2019. Two years later, he dismissed the government, suspended parliament, and assumed full powers.EFE

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