Clashes During Tunis March: Multiple Police Officers Injured Amid Protests

The Tunisian Ministry of the Interior Ministry started on Monday, October 7, 2024 on Monday, reporting violent incidents during a protest of support for the Palestinian cause. The march, which took place in Tunis, took an aggressive turn when people, known for their violent behaviour, attacked the security forces and tried to disrupt the peaceful event.

A peaceful march disturbed by acts of violence
The demonstration, part of Bab Khadra, has crossed several major arteries in Tunis, including the Avenue de la République and rue de Paris, to finally reach Avenue Habib Bourguiba. While walking took place peacefully, a group of participants decided to break the rules, attacking the police with projectiles, pyrotechnic devices and solid objects.

These violent actions caused wounds to several police officers as well as a journalists, requiring their emergency transport to the hospital to receive care. The ministry also reported an attempted fire to an administrative vehicle, therefore accentuating the escalation of violence.

Reactions and measures taken by the authorities
According to the press release, the majority of demonstrators voiced their disapproval in the face of these overflows, considering that they distorted the peaceful nature of walking. The security forces, while maintaining a posture of restraint, were forced to interfere in the face of climbing violence.

The Ministry of the Interior said it has notified the judicial authorities to investigate these acts of violence and prosecute the perpetrators. The current investigation seeks to identify those responsible so that they respond to their actions.

Respect for the right to demonstrate and warn against violence
The ministry recalled its commitment to ensure the right to demonstrate peacefully while warning that it will not tolerate the exploitation of this right to perpetrate acts of violence and vandalism, acts condemned by Tunisian law.