Brahmi assassination: Tunisian union stages strike
Tunisia is experiencing a nationwide strike after protests over the killing of opposition leader Mohamed Brahmi.
The biggest trade union, UGTT, called the shutdown to denounce general “terrorism, violence and murders”.
On Thursday police used tear gas to disperse protesters in several towns, after Mr Brahmi was shot dead outside his home in Tunis.
Unidentified gunmen on a motorbike shot Mr Brahmi – who led the Movement of the People party – in his car on Thursday morning.
He is the second politician to be killed so far this year. In February, the murder of prominent secular figure Chokri Belaid sparked mass protests and forced then-Prime Minister Hamadi Jebali to resign.
After the UGTT issued its strike call, on Thursday protesters gathered in cities across the country to call for the government to resign. Police fired tear gas during disturbances that continued overnight.
Demonstrators attacked Ennahda’s headquarters in Sidi Bouzid, Mr Brahmi’s hometown .
One protester in the town told Reuters news agency: “They (Ennahda) gave the green light to kill Tunisian people. We used to support them. But now, they want to get rid of us.”
The UGTT called for a two-hour strike on Friday. All Tunisair flights to and from the country have been cancelled throughout the day.
Friday is also a day of planned protests, a sit-in is taking place at the National Constituent Assembly in the capital and supporters of Ennahda have called for a demonstration after Friday prayers to protest about the killing, our reporter says.
R.S