Saber Ali is a Tunisian civil society activist from the governorate of Gafsa who became the target of severe judicial repression after publicly criticising President Kais Saied and denouncing authoritarian practices in Tunisia. In late July 2025, security forces arrested him following a Facebook post in which he criticised the president and repeated a slogan used during demonstrations in central Tunis stating that Tunisia was being ruled “by the police”. According to local sources and rights defenders, the authorities raided his home before transferring him to Tunis, where he was interrogated by the anti-terrorism brigade in El Aouina. Prosecutors reportedly accused him of belonging to a terrorist organisation despite the absence of any publicly known evidence linking him to violent activity or incitement. Investigating judges subsequently extended his detention for an additional five days while the anti-terrorism investigation continued. Ali was known locally for his civic engagement and for speaking publicly about social and developmental issues affecting the Gafsa region, an area historically marked by unemployment, marginalisation and protest movements. Human rights observers and Tunisian activists strongly criticised the use of terrorism-related charges against a peaceful government critic, describing the case as part of a broader pattern of escalating repression against dissenting voices under President Kais Saied. Rights groups warned that Tunisian authorities were increasingly relying on anti-terrorism legislation, Decree-Law 54 and cybercrime provisions to criminalise peaceful expression, intimidate activists and suppress criticism of state institutions. His arrest occurred amid a wider crackdown targeting journalists, judges, lawyers, parliamentarians, opposition figures and online commentators accused of insulting the president, spreading false information or threatening state security through social media activity. Saber Ali remain in pretrial detention awaiting further judicial proceedings in connection with the terrorism-related charges brought against him.