Tunisians Protest Saudi Crown Prince’s Visit, Chant “Murderer Is not Welcome in Tunisia”

TUNIS – Hundreds of Tunisians protested on Tuesday against a visit by Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, denouncing the kingdom’s de facto ruler as a murderer in a second straight day of demonstrations condemning the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, according to CBC.

Hundreds of protesters marched through the central Habib Bourguiba avenue in Tunis. They chanted “the murderer is not welcome in Tunisia” and “Shame on Tunisia’s rulers” for receiving bin Salman.

A banner showing an image of Bin Salman holding a bone saw hung on the headquarters of the Tunisian journalists union.

Turkish officials say Khashoggi’s body was dismembered in the Saudi Embassy in Istanbul last month.

Saudi authorities have blamed the killing on lower-ranking officials who they say exceeded their authority.

 Protesters called for an end to the Saudi-led military campaign in neighbouring Yemen, which was launched by Prince Mohammed in his role as defence minister in 2015.

Bi Salman was welcomed by Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi when he arrived at the airport in Tunis from Cairo, the presidency said, and he left immediately for talks with Essebsi at Carthage Palace, the presidential seat.

A dozen Tunisian non-governmental organizations issued a joint statement saying the visit is aimed at cleaning up Prince Mohammed’s image after the Khashoggi death, and denounced “flagrant violations of human rights and repressive practices against freedom of speech” in Saudi Arabia, ABC News said.

The Tunisian journalists’ union and a collective of 50 lawyers have filed two legal complaints against the prince for crimes against humanity in Yemen and repression of freedom of expression. It’s unclear whether Tunisian authorities will take action on the complaints.

Human Rights Watch has made a similar legal request in Argentina.

Hamda Mustafa