Tunis: Hundreds of Tunisians demonstrated on Sunday against a ban on demonstrations and demanded the release of more than 20 recently detained high-profile presidential opponents.
In a 2021 power grab, President Kais Saied ousted the government, shut down the legislature, and implemented significant political system changes in the only democracy to emerge from the Arab Spring uprisings.
More than 20 political figures, including members of the National Salvation Front (NSF), the main opposition coalition, and its main member, the Islamist-leaning Ennahdha party, have been detained in the North African country in recent weeks.
Also Read: Houthi attacks result in the death and injury of a Yemeni military commander
The protesters, most of whom were NSF supporters, chanted "Freedom for the prisoners" and many of them waved Tunisian flags and pictures of prisoners,
Describing Saiyid's seizure of power as a "coup d'état", protesters defied a ban on demonstrations imposed by Tunis authorities.
At first, a few dozen people gathered at a vital bus and tramway station in central Tunis before charging police barricades and marching towards Habib Bourguiba Avenue, where the crowd quickly grew to more than 500, reporters said.
The march is restricted, policemen pleaded over loudspeakers, directing protesters away from the famous avenue, the scene of many demonstrations, and towards the Al Joumhouri party headquarters a few kilometers away.
One of Sayyid's opponents who was arrested during the crackdown that began in February is Issam Chebbi, leader of the Al Joumhouri party.
Also Read: India and the Middle East's defense ties are strengthening as security engagements increase
His brother Ahmed Najeeb Chebbi, leader of the NSF, addressed the crowd and accused the arrests of being "arbitrary".
Protester Ahmed Najeeb Chebbi, 78, said: "We are defending a national cause and we will not give up until democracy and institutions are restored."
Other detainees include senior opposition figures Jawhar Ben Mbarek, Kamel Eltaif, owner of Tunisia's most listened-to radio station, Mosaik FM, Noureddine Butar, and union officials.
Mbarek's father, Ezzedine Hajgui, who was jailed during the regime of ousted President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, was present at the rally and criticized Saied in remarks to AFP.
"The president has divided the people and placed all state institutions under his control." Hazgui claimed, "An illegitimate president is protected by the police."
Syed has accused those detained of "terrorism", ongoing food shortages and conspiracy against the government.
Amnesty International, a rights organization, described the arrests as a "politically motivated witch hunt".
The NSF called for the protest, which came a day after more than 3,000 people attended a rally in Tunisia that was sponsored by the powerful UGTT trade union.
At that rally, Sayed was accused of targeting the union as part of a wider crackdown on critics by UGTT head Noureddine Taboubi, who urged Sayed to accept a "dialogue".
