Critics say the ruling highlights a deepening clampdown on dissent under President Kais Saied.

A Tunisian court has sentenced lawmaker Ahmed Saidani to eight months in prison over social media posts mocking President Kais Saied, a ruling that opponents say reflects an escalating crackdown on dissent.

Once a supporter of Saied’s campaign against political rivals, Saidani later emerged as a sharp critic, accusing the president of attempting to monopolise decision making while shifting responsibility for the country’s problems onto others.

The member of parliament was convicted on charges of insulting others through communication networks, according to a judicial official.

He was arrested earlier this month after publishing a Facebook post in which he mocked the president, referring to him as the “supreme commander of sewage and rainwater drainage.”

Bilel Mechri, a fellow lawmaker, condemned the arrest. He questioned how parliament could hold the executive branch accountable if members were detained for expressing critical views, describing the move as a violation of the law and an attack on state institutions.

CBI News reports that Saidani was elected to parliament at the end of 2022 in a vote marked by very low turnout.

The election followed Saied’s 2021 decision to dissolve the previous parliament and dismiss the government.

Since then, Saied has governed by decree, actions the opposition has characterised as a coup. Numerous opposition figures, journalists and critics have been detained since he consolidated most governing powers.

Human rights organisations argue that Saied has entrenched one man rule and effectively turned Tunisia into what they describe as an open air prison in a bid to silence opponents.

Saied maintains that his actions are lawful and necessary to cleanse the country and uphold order.