Some 150 people have been arrested by officials in Tunisia for staging protests kicking against current economic reforms in the North African country.
Those arrested include local opposition leaders who have condemned increase in prices and taxes as tension mounts in Tunisia over calls for more rallies and protests this weekend.
Activists and opposition politicians are calling for fresh demonstrations in Tunis, on Friday and on Sunday which will mark the seventh anniversary of the exit of former president Zine El-Abidine Ben Ali.
Interior Ministry spokesman Khelifa Chibani was quoted by Reuters as saying that “The protests have declined and there was no damage, but last night the police arrested 150 people involved in rioting in the past few days, bringing the total number of detainees to 778,”
Sixteen “Islamist extremists” were among those detained, he said.
Concerns have largely been over economic reforms rolled out this year.
Last month unemployed citizens protested demanding job opportunities with the country’s economy struggling since 2011.
Source: Africafeeds.com
