The recent arrests of two lawyers and two journalists in Tunisia for criticising the situation in the country come amid rising concerns over political and individual freedoms. President Kais Saied seized more powers in 2021 and later signed a decree that outlaws “spreading false news”, which journalists and opposition figures say is used to stifle dissent.
It was 7:45pm in Tunis on Saturday when hooded police officers forcibly arrested lawyer Sonia Dahmani on the premises of the bar association’s headquarters. A FRANCE 24 crew filmed the scene live but the broadcast was abruptly interrupted when officers snatched the camera from its tripod.
