The National Salvation Front (opposition coalition), on Saturday, held a rally outside the Municipal Theatre in Tunis in solidarity with the people arrested in the so-called “conspiracy against state security” case. The rally was the first of its kind for the National Salvation Front in public space since the decision to seal the headquarters of the Front and the Ennahda movement, and was an opportunity for the demonstrators to chant slogans expressing their commitment to the release of the prisoners. The rally that run for more than an hour saw the participation of dozens of supporters of the Front, family members of the detainees and a number of political leaders, including Ahmed Néjib Chebbi, president of the political committee of the “al-Amal” party leader of the National Salvation Front, Imed Khemiri, spokesman for the Ennahda movement, Ajmi Lourimi and Belgacem Hassen, leaders in the movement, Abdellatif Mekki, leader in party «Hope and Realisation» Party, and Samira Chaouachi, former deputy speaker of parliament. Speaking to reporters, head of the National Salvation Front, Ahmed Nejib Chebbi, said the authorities have been sending negative messages to Tunisians, suggesting any opponent or dissident who rebels against the authorities «will face prison» Chebbi took the opportunity to launch a scathing attack on the interior minister, who had rushed to seal off the headquarters of the National Salvation Front and the Ennahdha movement, describing his decision as “mistaken” and “a sign of the worst possible status of freedom of expression and demonstration in Tunisia”. Samira Chaouachi, Ajmi Lourimi and Amine Bouazizi (political activist and one of the founders of the “Citizens against Coup” campaign) took the floor in turn to reaffirm their commitment to continue the struggle until democracy is restored and the prisoners are released. The demonstration took place peacefully and without incident, with a discreet presence of security forces.
Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse