Supporters of Tunisian President Kais Saied carry flags and signs during a demonstration to show their support for him, in Tunis, Tunisia on May 19.Hundreds of people demonstrated in Tunis on Sunday in support of President Kais Saied amid widespread criticism at home and abroad after a wave of arrests that included journalists, activists and lawyers.
Police this month arrested 10 people, including journalists, lawyers and officials of civil society groups, in what was described as crackdown by Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, which called on Tunisia to respect free speech and civil liberties. Following international criticism, Saied last week asked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to call in several ambassadors to protest at their countries’ interference in Tunisia’s affairs.
Saied’s supporters, most of whom arrived on buses from out of town, chanted: “The people want Kais Saied.”