Human Rights Groups Assert Tunisia's Escalating Repression Signals Saied's Intention to Seek Re-Election

Tunisia’s president Kais Saied hasn’t announced whether he’s running for office in the country’s next election slate for this fall.  But human rights groups say a recent crackdown on journalists, critics and opponents reveal his intent on remaining in power for another five-year term. 

"President Kais Saied's latest wave of repression appears to be intricately linked to the upcoming presidential elections in Tunisia," Marwa Murad, spokesperson for Committee for Justice told Deutsche Welle. 

Last week, Mohamed Boughalleb, a prominent Tunisian journalist who has been critical of Saied was placed in detention. It followed his arrest on charges of allegedly insulting a public official on social media. 

The 66-year old Saied was democratically elected as president in October 2019. However, two years later he began dismantling democratic institutions and consolidated his power. 

A little over a year ago, two prominent political opponents: Issam Chebbi and Chaima Issa were arrested for “conspiring against the state”. Both were vocal critics of Saied.