Protest march in Tunisian capital amid tight security measures

By Agencies Published: Feb 07, 2021 10:46 AM

Police officers are seen on duty during a protest in Tunis, Tunisia, on Feb. 6, 2021. A protest march was organized on Saturday in Tunisian capital Tunis to commemorate the eighth anniversary of the assassination of left-wing opponent Chokri Belaid amid tight security measures. (Photo by Adel Ezzine/Xinhua)

A protest march was organized on Saturday in Tunisian capital Tunis to commemorate the eighth anniversary of the assassination of left-wing opponent Chokri Belaid amid tight security measures.

The protest march began at the Martyr Chokri Belaid Square at Avenue Mohammed 5, in downtown Tunis, with the participation of many political figures from the opposition, parliamentarians, trade unionists and artists.

Police block a street in Tunis, Tunisia, on Feb. 6, 2021. A protest march was organized on Saturday in Tunisian capital Tunis to commemorate the eighth anniversary of the assassination of left-wing opponent Chokri Belaid amid tight security measures. (Photo by Adel Ezzine/Xinhua)

The protesters moved towards Habib Bourguiba Avenue, the main avenue of the Tunisian capital, described by the Tunisians as the avenue of the revolution.

The participants in this demonstration chanted slogans in which they demanded to reveal who was behind the political assassinations in Tunisia.

They also raised other slogans calling for solutions to the economic situation and working to achieve development.

People take part in a protest in Tunis, Tunisia, on Feb. 6, 2021. A protest march was organized on Saturday in Tunisian capital Tunis to commemorate the eighth anniversary of the assassination of left-wing opponent Chokri Belaid amid tight security measures. (Photo by Adel Ezzine/Xinhua)

The demonstration was held at a time when the Tunisian authorities have been imposing a strict health protocol for several weeks, including the closure of cafes, restaurants and shops along Avenue Habib Bourguiba.

The Tunisian Interior Ministry has set up dozens of barriers in all the alleys leading to Avenue Bourguiba, in anticipation of possible clashes between demonstrators and police.

Tunisian opposition figure Chokri Belaid, the head of the Democratic Patriotic Party and a leading voice of the country's secular opposition, was shot dead outside his home in Tunis on Feb. 6, 2013.

Police officers confront demonstrators during a protest in Tunis, Tunisia, on Feb. 6, 2021. A protest march was organized on Saturday in Tunisian capital Tunis to commemorate the eighth anniversary of the assassination of left-wing opponent Chokri Belaid amid tight security measures. (Photo by Adel Ezzine/Xinhua)