Tunisia imposes curfew
Tour operators, representatives of the Tunisian tour office and diplomats comment on the announcement of a curfew in several regions of the country following mass protests by Salafist Muslims.
Authority Tunisia A curfew has been declared in eight provinces of the country, including in the capital of the state, the city of Tunisia, RIA Novosti reports with reference to the official statement of the local interior Ministry. Restrictions on freedom of movement have been caused by unrest in Tunisian regions over the past two days. The curfew will operate in the country from 21.00 (00.00 MSK) to 05.00 (03.00 MSK) local time. In addition to the city of Tunis, it will affect, in particular, the cities of Monastir, Sousse and Medenin.
In recent days, riots have continued in Tunisia involving Salafist Muslims and ordinary hooligans who have attacked police stations, government offices, and offices of political parties. The cause of the unrest, as reported by France Presse, was an art exhibition held from 2 to 10 June in one of the capital’s suburbs.
The Islamists found it offensive to Muslims. During the unrest, about 65 local policemen were injured, 160 people were detained.
According to the radio station “Kommersant FM”, after the protesters broke into one of the courts, the representative of the Ministry of justice of the country said that the security forces are ready to take the toughest measures.
“The police officers who guarded the court did their best, but in the face of so many attackers they were rendered helpless. The Ministry of Justice will strengthen the protection of ships by its own employees, they will have an order to defend themselves by any means. If necessary, they will shoot, — said the representative of the Ministry of justice.
“Given the current situation, Russian citizens staying in Tunisia are advised to observe the necessary security measures, avoid crowded places, demonstrations, pickets and strikes, and Russian tourists – temporarily refrain from individual trips outside tourist areas,” said Alexander Mamin, head of the consular department of the Russian Embassy.
Meanwhile, as Abderazak Azuzi, head of the Tunisian tourism office in Moscow, told Interfax yesterday, the unrest did not affect tourist areas. “Everything is now calm in the country: the riots are over, the instigators have been caught. I think in the near future the curfew will be lifted, the source said.
Biblio Globus, where we also asked for comment, referred to information received yesterday from the CEO of the host company Mohamed Saadawi.
According to him, the unrest in the country did not affect the rest of tourists. The host company of the tour operator Biblio Globus continues to operate as usual. For example, on Tuesday evening, no interference was created for tourists arriving at Monastir airport at 22:20, all of them were transported by bus to hotels without delay. The excursion programme is scheduled and no adjustments have been made.”
According to him, the unrest in the country did not affect the rest of tourists. The host company of the tour operator Biblio Globus continues to operate as usual. For example, on Tuesday evening, no interference was created for tourists arriving at Monastir airport at 22:20, all of them were transported by bus to hotels without delay. The excursion programme is scheduled and no adjustments have been made.”
“The tourist areas of the country maintain a calm atmosphere for tourists to relax. On Wednesday morning, nine buses went on a tour of Tunis-Carthage. Tourists visited Carthage, the Bardo Museum and Sidi Bou Said. It's calm there. Reports of unrest in Tunisia are greatly exaggerated and there is no panic in the country, Saadawi said.
In January 2011, the “Jasmine Revolution” took place in Tunisia, which ended with the overthrow of President Zine al-Abidine bin Ali, who has ruled the country since 1987. After that, Islamist groups have intensified in the country, which periodically demand, in particular, to limit the “corrosive influence of Western tourists” on the culture and traditions of the country.
In the period from January to May this year, the tourist flow from Russia to Tunisia amounted to 37.5 thousand people, which is almost 200% more than in the same period in 2011.
Source: TOURBUS. RU