Tunisian TV chief held for 'inciting violence'

Published on Sunday 23 January 2011 17:08

Tunisia has arrested the owner of a private TV station and his son for "grand treason" for inciting violence and working for ousted leader Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali's return.

"The owner of Hannibal TV (Larbi Nasra], who is a relative of the former president's wife, is using the channel to abort the youth's revolution, spread confusion, incite strife and broadcast false information," a statement citing an authorised source said.

"The aim is to create a constitutional vacuum, ruin stability and take the country into a vortex of violence that will bring back the dictatorship of the former president."

Veteran strongman Mr Ben Ali was overthrown this month in a popular uprising over poverty, corruption and political repression that stunned Arab and Western governments who had longed backed him as a bulwark against Islamists.

But since then Tunis and other cities have seen daily protests against an interim government containing many loyalists from Mr Ben Ali's era, including prime minister Mohamed Ghannouchi.

Former members of Mr Ben Ali's RCD ruling party retain key ministries, notably interior, defence and foreign affairs.

The protests, which have not let up, have so far been peaceful, with police on Saturday and yesterday allowing protesters to break through barricades placed at the prime minister's compound. The army led the way in an effort to restore order after Mr Ben Ali fled to Saudi Arabia. The authorities said he had left behind militias that clashed with the army.

The Tunisian news agency said Nasra and his son had been arrested "to secure the nation's safety and the revolution's success".