Tunisia: State of Emergency Extended for Three Months

Tunisian President Kais Saied has extended for three months the state of emergency in place since November 2015 following a series of deadly attacks that killed over 70 people, mostly foreign tourists.

The decision according to the office of the president was taken following consultation with caretaker Prime Minister Youssef Chahed and the Speaker of the parliament Rached Ghannouchi.

The Tunisian leader early last month prolonged the measure for one month, until end of January.

The state of emergency grants security forces exceptional power that encompasses banning meetings, imposing curfew, monitoring of the press, publication, and radio broadcasts, and inspection of private businesses and residences without warrant.

Last month, a group of human rights organizations, trade unions and political parties called on the 64-year old leader to end the state of emergency, which according to them, is used to obstruct individual and public freedom, Ashaq al- Awasat reported.

According to rights groups, over 500 have been held under house arrest for various periods, either on suspicion of terrorism or corruption.