The Tunisian authorities decided yesterday to extend the state of emergency for another seven months, starting 12 March, Anadolu Agency reported, quoting a statement by the Tunisian presidency office.
“Following consultations with Prime Minister Yusuf Al-Shahid and Parliament Speaker Mohamed Al-Nasser, President Beji Caid Essebsi has decided to extend the state of emergency for seven more months,” the statement read.
The state of emergency was first imposed in Tunisia following the 2011 uprising, which toppled the 25-year long regime of the former President, Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.
Late November 2015, the country entered a second state of emergency following a terrorist attack which targeted a presidential security bus in central Tunis, leaving about 30 dead and wounded.
The state of emergency was renewed several times, most recently on 9 February.
Tunisian emergency law grants the interior minister with exceptional powers, including carrying out home arrests, banning official meetings, imposing curfews, monitoring media and press, prohibiting of assemblies and media censorship without judicial approval.
