Tunisia extends emergency state until 17 February

The Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi has decided extend the emergency state for another month, starting from 17 January.

The law enters into force after the terrorist attack that was committed in November 2015, as AFP noted.

Caid Essebsi has ‘decided to prolong for another month the measure involving the emergency state, on January 17th’. The information had been mentioned the Tunisian presidential office.

The previous extension was decided on October 19th, 2016 and lasted for three months.

The measure is meant to give the internal police forces exceptional powers, at least theoretically.

Also, other force measures are the decision of banning strikes and other reunions that would provoke public disorder. Also, officials can close theaters, ban alcohol and control press publications.

The emergency state has entered vigor without interruption after the suicidal attack on the main Tunisian boulevard, on November 24th, 2015. The attack was conducted against an autobus that carried members of the presidential team.

‘After this tragic event, I declare an emergency state for 30 days and a curfew for 24 hours’, stated the President.

The attack has caused the death of 12 military people and was claimed by the Islamist State.

Other two similar attacks committed by IS had taken place only a few months before at Bardo Museum from Tunis and in Sousse. 60 people had tragically ended their lives.

The authorities have announced almost weekly neutralizing more and more ‘terrorist cells’ in Tunisia.

Jihadist groupings, with connections to the Islamist State or with Al-Qaida from Maghrebul Islamic (Aqmi), are still active in the mountainous area from Tunisia.