Tunisian protestors attempt to storm suspended Parliament
Thousands of Tunisians tried to storm the country’s Parliament in capital Tunis in protest to what they branded a “coup” after President Kais Saied closed the legislature and suspended the immunity of lawmakers.
Security forces positioned in the vicinity of the Parliament managed to keep the protestors at bay.
Protesters among the supporters of the campaign “Citizens against Coup” and members of the Ennahdha movement, the Al-Karama coalition, and Heart of Tunis chanted slogans calling for “restarting parliamentary activity, restoring legitimacy and the removal of the President of the Republic, TAP news agency reported.
According to Reuters, protesters also chanted “Shut down Kais Saied” and “Freedom! Freedom! End the police state!”.
The demonstrators, whose number is estimated, according to security sources, to some 3,000 around noon, spoke of the obstacles imposed on a large number of protesters from the regions to join the rally. They called for changing the rally into a sit-in in front of the parliament.
Some demonstrators tried to break through the security barriers to reach the parliament, but were prevented by security forces, which led to clashes between the two sides.
Members of the campaign “Citizens against Coup” including Jawhar Ben Mbarek, Ridha Belhaj, Samira Chaouachi and leaders and MPs of Ennahdha and the Al-Karama coalition were seen in the protest, according to TAP.
The rally saw a massive deployment of law enforcers and corridors were arranged for demonstrators’ access to the Boulevard March 20 in Bardo.
Spokesperson for the Ministry of Interior Yasser Mosbah told TAP a security plan has been put in place to maximize the protection of demonstrators.
He denied there were attempts to prevent demonstrators from accessing the square reserved for the rally, saying some people in possession of sharp tools, who were on the outskirts of the square, were arrested.
The Interior Department has done everything possible to ensure the smooth running of the rally and protect public and private property and people living in Bardo, the spokesperson further indicated.
President Saied on July 25 seized the executive power and suspended the parliament arguing that the move was intended to end governmental paralysis after years of political squabbling and economic stagnation, and has promised to uphold rights and freedoms won in the 2011 revolution that brought democracy.
He received support for the action from a large number of Tunisians but has also been under tight scrutiny both at home and abroad as calls to restore the activities of parliament keep piling up.
Several Tunisia’s western partners have raised concerns over the arrest of dozens of people including politicians and critics on alleged corruption charges.
The North African country has issued an international arrest warrant against former leader Moncef Marzouki, one of the most vocal critics of the July 25 move. He is wanted for “plotting against the state” after he confirmed to have played a role in the postponement of the Francophonie Summit, initially scheduled to take place this month on Djerba Island.
