The Tunisian Journalists Syndicate demanded the immediate release of journalist Khalifa Al Qasimi, who was suspended for 5 days by the authorities after he published a story about the dismantling of a "terrorist cell" in Kairouan, while local media said that the governor (Governor) of the capital, Tunis, had decided to ban protests on Habib Bourguiba Street, a symbol of revolution. 2011.
The Syndicate strongly condemned the arrest of the journalist according to the so-called anti-terror and money laundering law, after he refused to disclose his sources based on the press law, stressing that the arrest of Al-Qasimi is a new chapter in the attack on press freedom in the country and intimidation of journalists during the era of the post-July 25th regime, As she put it.
It also condemned the persecution of journalists with laws unrelated to the profession, with the aim of trying to intimidate them and silence their voices in a blow to the essence of journalistic work, according to the text of the statement.
fueling anger
In a related context, local media said that the governor of Tunis decided yesterday, Friday, to ban protests on Habib Bourguiba Street, in a move that would inflame the anger of the opposition, which accuses the president of adopting one-man rule.
These sources added that the governor of the capital, Kamel al-Faqih, said in a statement, "Habib Bourguiba Street will be devoted to cultural, tourist and exhibition activities only."
She stated that all other protests will be transferred to the Human Rights Square or other public squares on Mohammed V Street.
It was not immediately possible to obtain a comment from officials in the state of Tunis, according to Reuters.
Demonstrations rejecting the measures taken by President Kais Saied (Anatolia)
Street and symbolism
Habib Bourguiba Street is a symbol and focal point of the 2011 protests that ended the rule of the late President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. On January 14, tens of thousands of angry demonstrators gathered there, smashing the barrier of years of fear and authoritarian rule.
The protest ban comes ahead of a demonstration called by the opposition Workers' Party against President Saeed.
During the past months, the opposition protested in Habib Bourguiba Street and was sometimes prevented from demonstrating there.
Since last July 25, the country has witnessed a political crisis as a result of exceptional measures by the president, including freezing the competencies of Parliament, lifting the immunity of its deputies, abolishing the constitutionality monitoring body, issuing legislation by presidential decrees, dismissing the prime minister and appointing a successor to him.
The majority of political and civil forces reject Said's exceptional measures, and consider them a coup against the constitution, while other forces support them and see them as a correction to the course of the 2011 revolution that overthrew Ben Ali's rule.