By Lucy Adautin
Tunisian police have taken into custody Ahmed Souab, a high-profile lawyer and outspoken opponent of President Kais Saied, according to his legal team. His detention on Monday has reignited concerns from rights groups over the country’s continued clampdown on political dissent.
Souab had been representing several opposition leaders who, over the weekend, were sentenced to long prison terms following a controversial trial on conspiracy charges.
A vocal critic of the proceedings, Souab condemned the trial in court last Friday, branding it a mockery of justice and declaring the country’s judiciary system in ruins.
“His arrest seems directly linked to his comments criticising the trial,” said lawyer Samir Dilou. Two other legal representatives confirmed his detention.
The convictions sparked backlash from political groups, who argue that the trial served as a tool for President Saied to tighten his grip on power and silence opponents.
Human rights organisations accuse Saied of dismantling Tunisia’s judicial independence since his 2021 power grab, which saw the dissolution of parliament. In 2022, he disbanded the Supreme Judicial Council and dismissed dozens of judges.
Amnesty International described the wave of convictions as “a chilling sign that the government is pressing ahead with its assault on peaceful dissent.”
Among those convicted were senior members of the Ennahda party, Tunisia’s main opposition group.
Noureddine Bhiri, the party’s vice president, received a 43-year sentence. Party officials Said Ferjani and Sahbi Atig were sentenced to 13 years each.
Business mogul Kamel Ltaif received a staggering 66-year sentence, while political figure Khyam Turki was handed 48 years behind bars.
Authorities claim that the group, which includes former intelligence chief Kamel Guizani and ex-presidential aide Nadia Akacha, plotted to overthrow the president and destabilise the nation.
The opposition has rejected the accusations, saying they were working towards a political initiative to unite Tunisia’s divided opposition.
President Saied had previously branded the politicians as “traitors and terrorists,” warning that any judge who cleared them would be seen as an accomplice.
