Anti-US riot in Tunisia could result in 87 executions

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Published time: October 05, 2012 09:37
Edited time: October 05, 2012 13:37

Tunisian protesters throw stones during a protest against a film mocking Islam outside the US embassy in Tunis on September 14, 2012. (AFP Photo/Fethi Belaid)

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Tunisian authorities plan to charge some of the 87 rioters arrested for storming the US embassy in September with endangering state security, seeking the death penalty for them, their lawyers say. The assault was caused by US-made anti-Islamic movie.

Lawyers Anouar Ouled Ali and Mondher Charni, representing the 87 activists remaining in custody, have claimed the prosecution seeks to accuse some of the defendants of a threat to national security which, considering the state of emergency in Tunisia introduced in January 2011, could mean a death sentence.

The violent protests in Tunisia on September 14 were officially caused by the kitsch movie Innocence of Muslims, mocking the Prophet Mohammed. The film was privately produced in the US.

Thousands of enraged Muslim activists rallied around American embassy in Tunis until finally storming it, burning the American flag, looting property and setting buildings on fire. Police initially used teargas, but when things worsened they had to open fire for effect, killing four protesters. The number of injured from both protesters and law enforcement remains unaccounted for.

Tunisia's ruling moderate Islamist party condemned the riot.

The cradle of the Arab Spring, Tunisia that ousted in a popular uprising its longtime President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, continues to live on state of martial law. The country’s new President Moncef Marzouki has just extended the state of emergency for the eighth time, despite a "notable improvement in the general security situation" reports country’s official news agency TAP (Tunis Afrique Presse).

Tunisia was not the only country where controversial Innocence of Muslims movie caused violence and havoc. Tens of thousands of enraged Muslims rallied in Egypt, Iran, Pakistan, Indonesia, Lebanon and other countries. In several cases police also opened fire, which led to reported deaths among the protesters.

Tunisian protesters break into the US embassy in Tunis during a protest against a film mocking Islam on September 14, 2012. (AFP Photo/Fethi Belaid)

Courtesy of Karim Benamor.

AFP Photo/Fethi Belaid

Comments (16)

Oizaz Lahcen (unregistered) 13.10.2012 20:28

It took less to launch the so called Arab Spring that is logically turning into the second wave of the Muslim renaissance. 87 Mohamed Bouazizi's that will be great.

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PegLeg_Pirate (unregistered) 05.10.2012 23:04

Looks like there's going to be 87 less rock-throwing cowards in the world pretty soon. Sounds a tad bit extreme to me, but I don't get to vote in Tunisia, the rock-throwers do.

Undo

africaboy (unregistered) 05.10.2012 14:25

They want to execute their own people to please America. I don't know if people can learn little bit from history. As a human being in power when you understand what power means you will know how to react. Ben Ali was better. Sometimes is better to have a great leader than trying all this regime change. Look Iraq , look Libya, Look Egypt , Look Ivory Coast, Look all the country the west imposed his puppet. Misery and death are the result. I rather have a dictator who working for me than that so-called democratic elected-leader who is just an agent working against my future and the future of my family, my country to the benefit of corrupted, colonial and evil empire. People should start thinking about election as it was presented to us. The West do not want democracy and peace in any country beside their own. Tunisia is just another shame. During Ben Ali time the country was stable. Some people will never understand their own good until is over.

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