No Script

Please Wait...

Al-Ahed Telegram

Tunisia: Third Night of Unrest as Hundreds Arrested

Tunisia: Third Night of Unrest as Hundreds Arrested
folder_openAfrica... access_time6 years ago
starAdd to favorites

Local Editor

A third night of unrest has shaken parts of Tunisia where authorities said Thursday the number of arrests has risen above 500 as anger grows over austerity measures.

Tunisia: Third Night of Unrest as Hundreds Arrested

Police arrested 328 people on Wednesday for theft, looting, arson and blocking roads, the interior ministry said, after arresting 237 the previous day.

Ministry spokesman Khalifa Chibani however said the "violence" was less intense than in previous days.

Twenty-one members of the security forces were injured, Chibani said. There was no immediate toll available for any casualties among the protesters.

Tunisia is often seen as having had a relatively smooth transition since an uprising seven years ago that toppled longtime dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.

But Tunisians have expressed frustration since the start of the year over austerity measures expected to further increase prices in a struggling economy.

The North African country introduced hikes in value-added tax and social contributions at the start of the year as part of a tough new budget.

The recent unrest started with peaceful protests against the measures last week, but escalated into clashes with police in the night of Monday to Tuesday.

In a third night of clashes, unrest hit several areas across the country including the central city of Kasserine, and the northern towns of Siliana, Tebourba and Thala.

In Siliana, youths threw stones and Molotov cocktails at security forces. Police responded with tear gas, an AFP correspondent said.

Scuffles also broke out in some Tunis neighborhoods.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team

 

Comments