Tunisians march against amnesty

Around 1,500 people march through capital’s central avenue in the company of opposition leaders

Hundreds of Tunisians protested on Saturday in the streets of the capital against a widely contested new law that grants officials from the former regime involved in corruption amnesty from prosecution. Tunisia’s parliament on Wednesday approved a law protecting officials accused of graft during the rule of autocrat Zine Al Abidine Bin Ali, triggering angry protests by the opposition and activists.

Waving flags and banners saying “No to forgiveness”, “Resisting against mafia rule”, around 1,500 people marched through the capital’s central Avenue Habib Bourguiba in the company of opposition leaders.

After months of protests, the law was amended from an original draft which would have also granted amnesty to corrupt businessmen. Now they will be liable to prosecution for crimes committed during Bin Ali’s 24-year rule. Critics of the so-called “Economic Reconciliation” law say it is a step back from the spirit of Tunisia’s 2011 revolution to oust Bin Ali, who fled after weeks of protests against corruption and inequality.

“The counter-revolution is being led today by the President of the Republic,” Hamma Hammami, leader of Popular Front party, told Reuters. “The people returned to the streets again today as before the revolution and will not be silent against the corrupt system.” Ruling parties Ennahda and Nidaa Tunis supported the law.

AP Demonstrators hold placards reading “I do not forgive” during a march against a contested reconciliation bill which would grant amnesty to officials accused of corruption during the rule of the former regime, on Habib Bourguiba avenue in Tunis on...