Massive Protests Erupt in Tunisia Against President Kais Saied

Thousands of Tunisians protested against President Kais Saied, accusing him of trying to rig the upcoming presidential election by detaining and intimidating rivals. The protesters demanded the release of political prisoners and criticized the electoral commission for ignoring a court order to reinstate disqualified candidates.

Thousands of Tunisians took to the streets on Friday to protest against President Kais Saied, accusing him of trying to manipulate the Oct. 6 presidential election by detaining and intimidating his rivals.

The march, one of the largest in two years since Saied began ruling by decree in 2021, saw demonstrators chanting slogans like "Out with dictator Saied" and "No fear, no terror, streets belong to the people".

In August, the electoral commission disqualified three prominent candidates, citing irregularities. However, a court ordered their reinstatement on Sept. 2, a ruling the commission rejected. Critics argue that Saied is using the commission, whose members he appointed, to secure victory. Saied denies these claims, stating he is fighting traitors and the corrupt.

Currently, only three candidates remain in the race: Saied, Zouhair Maghzaoui, and Ayachi Zammel. Zammel, facing 25 court cases, claims the charges of falsifying voter signatures are fabricated. Protesters are demanding the release of Zammel and other political prisoners. Major political parties contend that Saied's rule has undermined the democratic progress achieved since Tunisia's 2011 revolution.

(With inputs from agencies.)