Tunisian police detain dozens after clashes

By Yosra Ouanes

TUNIS (AA) – Tunisian security forces have detained 44 people following clashes over price hikes and tax increases in the North African country a day earlier, according to the country’s interior ministry.

In a statement on Tuesday, ministry spokesman Khelifa Chibani said the suspects were rounded up after clashes that broke out in several areas in the country on Monday.

Demonstrators clashed with security forces in different parts in Tunisia over recent austerity measures taken by the government.

Chibani said that clashes “carry a criminal aspect and have nothing to do with democracy or social demands”.

He said two police stations were burnt during the protests in the capital Tunis and in southern Tunisia.

Prices have hiked in Tunisia this year after the government adopted austerity measures seen as necessary to limit a budget deficit that hit 6 percent of the country’s GDP.