Tunisia authorities launch probe into protester’s death

By Haitham al-Mahdi

TATAOUINE, Tunisia (AA) - Tunisian authorities on Thursday launched an investigation into the death of a young protester killed earlier this week during clashes with security forces in the southern Tataouine province, according to officials.

Anwar al-Sakrafi, 28, was killed on Monday during a protest after being struck by a police vehicle in Tataouine’s Kamour region.

“Military prosecutors have opened an investigation into the incident, with which we intend to deal seriously,” Defense Minister Farhat al-Harashani said Thursday while paying his condolences to the slain youth’s family in Tataouine.

“We will apply the rule of law,” he added. “Tunisia is rooted in respect for the law and constitution.”

On Monday, Tunisian security forces forcefully dispersed a protest staged by disaffected youth in Tataouine, during which al-Sakrafi was killed and several other demonstrators injured.

Recent months have seen hundreds of young Tunisians stage sit-in protests near the country’s southern oilfields to demand more job opportunities and stepped-up local development.

In a notable escalation earlier this month, President Beji Caid Essebsi ordered the armed forces to take steps to protect the country’s phosphate mines and oilfields from protesters, who, he warned, could disrupt production.