Authorities in Tunisia have detained well-known opposition figure Chaima Issa as she joined a protest in the capital on Saturday.
Her arrest comes just a day after an appeals court handed down prison sentences of up to 45 years to a group of opposition politicians, business figures, and lawyers.In a ruling viewed as a sign of growing authoritarianism under President Kais Saied, the group was convicted of plotting to topple his government.
Minutes before she was taken by police, Issa and two other convicted politicians urged the fragmented opposition to unite and step up mass protests against Saied.
“They are coming for me soon,” she told the demonstrators, calling on Tunisians to keep resisting and stand against tyranny.Issa, who received a 20-year jail term, has criticised the charges against her as unfair and politically driven.More arrests are expected.
Human Rights Watch condemned the trial on Friday, calling it a “travesty of justice.”
During a sweeping power shift in July 2021, Saied dissolved parliament and expanded his executive powers, allowing him to govern by decree.
Since then, he has imprisoned several of his critics. Saied insists his actions are lawful and intended to end years of instability and widespread corruption.
