237 arrested for looting, vandalism in Tunisia

TUNIS, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- Some 237 people have been arrested in the past 48 hours for being involved in looting and vandalism, Tunisian Ministry of Interior said on Wednesday.

Khalifa Chibani, official spokesman for the ministry, said the looting took place in 11 provinces, and 58 security agents including police and national guard were injured in night clashes, in addition to the destruction of 57 safety vehicles.

"These people have no connection with the protest movements or the cause advocated by protesters namely the rise in prices of certain consumer products in the new finance law for 2018," commented Chibani.

From Tuesday evening to Wednesday, in the 11 provinces mentioned by Khalifa Chibani, young people gathered to assault some private businesses or even bank branches, while others dared to burn municipal and customs depots.

Tunisian Prime Minister Youssef Chahed warned that any offense of law will be punished, calling for calm in the treatment of social movements.

"All we are asking for now is to wait," insisted Chahed, and he assured that 2018 will be the last year for some austerity measures given the positive economic indicators detected by his government. Enditem