What happened in downtown Tunis on the sidelines of yesterday’s demonstration, from Bab El Khadra to Habib Bourguiba Avenue, to commemorate the first anniversary of the “Al Aqsa Flood”?
When the demonstration reached Avenue Habib Bourguiba, it split into two: one group headed towards the stands of the municipal theater, while the other decided to go “rub against” the forces of the order mobilized in front of the French embassy.
Scuffles then broke out between the demonstrators and the police, with projectiles and smoke bombs being thrown towards the posted security agents. These clashes led to injuries among the police, as well as a foreign journalist, as noted by witnesses and video images of the scene.
The Minister of the Interior reacted with a press release published yesterday evening, specifying that during the demonstration of support for the Palestinian cause, which began in Bab El Khadra and crossed the Place de la République and Avenue de Paris to arrive at Avenue Habib Bourguiba, a number of elements known for their violent behavior attempted to attack the security units.
They used projectiles, smoke bombs and solid objects, taking advantage of the fact that agents and executives were trying to show restraint without reacting to this unjustified escalation.
These actions left police officers and a journalist injured, requiring their transfer to hospital for treatment. In addition, an attempt to set fire to an administrative vehicle was reported, triggered by a smoke bomb directed towards it, the press release added.
The Ministry of the Interior also indicates that the majority of participants in the demonstration expressed their indignation at the actions of this group which sought to provoke tensions with the security forces and to distort the peaceful demonstration.
The ministry also stressed that it had informed the public prosecutor’s office so that a judicial investigation could be opened against those who committed these acts of violence.
He reiterated his commitment to guaranteeing the right to peaceful protest, while affirming that he will not tolerate abuse of this right to commit acts of violence and disturbance of public order, in accordance with the law.
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