Tunisian government to identify Belaid killers

Woman holds pictures of Chokri Belaid at a demonstration against Ennahda Tunis – Azhar Jarboui The Tunisian government is preparing to reveal the names of the killers of opposition activist Chokri Belaid, a minister said on Wednesday. “We have identified the sponsors and the authors of the assassination of Chokri Belaid,” said Noureddin Bhiri, senior adviser to the prime minister, after a cabinet meeting.
Bhiri said the details would be revealed “soon” by Interior Minister Lotfi Ben Jeddou via a press conference, but did not specify when.
Belaid was gunned down outside his home on February 6 in a brazen attack that shocked Tunisians and sparked a political crisis that brought down the government of Islamist premier Hamadi Jebali. It was the first political assassination in Tunisia since the country gained independence in 1956.
The interior ministry blamed the killing of Belaid, who was an outspoken critic of Jebali’s ruling Ennahda party, on a cell of radical Islamists.
Political analysts see Wednesday’s announcement as an attempt by the Tunisian government to placate popular anger, particularly among left-wing groups, by promising to comply to their demand that it reveal the details of the crime.
Belaid’s family has been holding a protest every Wednesday demanding that the authorities uncover the details of the assassination, and threatening of internationalize the case if the Tunisian regime fails to identify the killers.
In April, the government released the photos and names of five Islamists allegedly implicated in the attack, including the alleged gunman, and appealed for help in arresting them.
Bhiri’s announcement followed a cabinet meeting led by Prime Minister Ali Larayedh, which also approved ‘risk bonuses’ for security units and appointed Abdullah al-Waseef as chair of the Tunisia Supreme Islamic Council.
The bonuses were raised from 20 ($12) to 100 Tunisian dinar ($60) per month, and included medical care for military workers.
Tunisia Supreme Islamic Council, which will now be headed by al-Waseef, has been a source of debate between the ruling Ennhada party and its opponents, who warn against the council becoming a religious authority that threatens the civil nature of the Tunisian state. Ennhada insists the council will be used to strengthen the state’s moderate, centrist Islamic foundations.
Additional reporting - AFP