(25 Jul 2024)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Tunis, Tunisia – 25 July 2024
1. Supporters of Tunisian President Kaies Saied raising a large national flag
2.Various of Ali Khouja and others protesting
3.SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Ali Khouja, Saied supporter, protester:
“Today, July 25th, is a day for Kais Saied. We have come to support him. Join us to participate in this march."
4. Various of Ali Khouja and supporters of Kais Saied unfurling a large flag in preparation to march
5. Khouja holding large flag and protesting
6. Khouja and a friend looking on with flag on their backs
7. Saied poster
8. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Ali (No last name given) Saied supporter:
"There is no alternative to Kais Saied for the people to choose. We admit he has made some mistakes, that can be corrected, but the important thing is that he is honest and clean, not a thief. Why shouldn’t we support him? The Ennahda Movement destroyed the Tunisian people in ten years."
9. Various of families of political prisoners protesting the pro-Saied demonstration
10. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Ezzedine Hazgui, Father of Jaouhar Ben Mbarek:
“Today is a sad day, Kais Saied has turned this day into a day of sorrow. He deprived 12 million Tunisians of celebrating Republic Day today, wanting to rule alone. Even his supporters have been imprisoned."
11. Various of families of political prisoners protesting the pro-Saied demonstration
STORYLINE:
Hundreds of supporters of President Kais Saied demonstrated in Tunis, the Tunisian capital Thursday, coinciding with the celebration of Republic Day.
The demonstrators gathered early in the morning on Habib Bourguiba Avenue, waving national flags and chanting slogans in support of President Saied, who announced his candidacy for the upcoming presidential election on October 6, 2024. They were joined by the families of political prisoners held by Saied’s regime, who protested the demonstration.
Among the most prominent participants was Ali Khouja, a 68-year-old retiree from the city of Ariana. Khouja started his day by rallying popular support for President Saied, expressing his confidence in Saied’s ability to lead Tunisia towards stability and development. "Saied is the hope for Tunisia," Khouja said, holding the national flag high.
Another Saied supporter, Ali, said "There is no alternative to Kais Saied for the people to choose. We admit he has made some mistakes that can be corrected, but the important thing is that he is honest and clean, not a thief. Why shouldn’t we support him? The Ennahda Movement destroyed the Tunisian people in ten years."
On the other side of the street, families of political prisoners gathered in a protest demanding the immediate release of their loved ones. The families held signs calling for the repeal of Decree 54, under which several politicians, journalists, and bloggers have been arrested. The protesters expressed their discontent by wearing symbolic iron chains and holding up baskets representing their visits to their imprisoned loved ones.
Among those participating in this protest was Ezzedine Al-Hazqi, a political activist and the father of prisoner Jaouhar Ben Mbarek. Al-Hazqi described the day as a "sad day," adding, "Kais Saied has turned this day into a day of sorrow. He deprived 12 million Tunisians of celebrating Republic Day today, wanting to rule alone. Even his supporters have been imprisoned."
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