For the third consecutive day, hundreds of Tunisians gathered on Tuesday, June 23, in Tataouine to demonstrate in favor of the release of Tarek Haddad, a figure in the protest movement who claims jobs promised by the government in this marginalized region of south of the country. 

Massed in calm before the city court where the police were deployed in large numbers, they demanded the release of the activist arrested on Saturday. 

According to his lawyer, Abdelaziz Ayeb, Tarek Haddad is being prosecuted for "contempt of a public official", "participation in a gathering likely to disturb the public peace", "contempt via social networks", and "obstructs the circulation of road by force ". 

He is scheduled to appear on July 2, Ayeb, who has filed for release, told AFP.  

The previous two days, the police fired tear gas to disperse demonstrators who threw stones at them. The army has been deployed since Monday to protect certain buildings in the city located 500 kilometers south of Tunis. 

"Tataouine, don't give up"

Tunisian President Kaïs Saïed received activists from Tataouine in January, where the unemployment rate reaches 30%, double the national average. He said on Tuesday that "the security approach is not a solution. It can trigger other protests and hot spots". 

The president was taken to task in Paris, where he is visiting, by supporters of Tunisian protesters, chanting "Tataouine, don't give up". He offered to receive representatives of the protesters at the presidential palace upon his return, according to a witness. 

Promises made by the government in 2017, after weeks of blocking a nearby oil site, related to hires in garden and green space maintenance companies. This type of public company has served to hire unemployed people in several marginalized regions rich in raw materials. However, in Tataouine, hires fell short of promises. 

"There is no garden in Tataouine," said Kaïs Saïed in his interview with France 24, calling on the unemployed to "present development projects" to the state. 

A special ministerial council is scheduled for Friday on the situation in Tataouine, according to the government. 

With AFP

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