Suspects arrested over Belaid killing

People hold placards bearing portraits of murdered opposition figure Chokri Belaid during a protest to pay tribute to Belaid on February 9, 2013, in Toulouse, southern France.

People hold placards bearing portraits of murdered opposition figure Chokri Belaid during a protest to pay tribute to Belaid on February 9, 2013, in Toulouse, southern France.

Published Feb 22, 2013

Share

Tunis, Tunisia -

Tunisia's interior minister has announced the arrest of several suspects in the assassination of a leftist politician two weeks ago that plunged the country into a political crisis.

Ali Larayedh said late on Thursday that “rapid progress” had been made in the investigation into Chokri Belaid's killing.

He gave few details, however, and could not confirm whether those arrested were the suspected killers themselves or say who was behind the assassination.

Belaid was shot four times outside his home on February 6, provoking days of unrest after many held the government responsible for his death.

Tunisia's prime minister has since resigned and the largest party in the assembly, the moderate Islamist Ennahda Party, is now working on putting together a new governing coalition. - Sapa-AP

Related Topics: