The Tunisian authorities on Friday said 132 rioters were arrested in the capital, Tunis, during the day as huge crowds took part in the burial of opposition leader, Chokri Belaïd, who was assassinated two days ago by unknown gunmen
The Tunisian Interior ministry spokesperson, Khaled Tarrouch, said those arrested were among a gang of looters that was involved in acts of violence in the city, which was crippled by a general strike called by the main opposition trade union to register their anger at the murder of Belaïd.
Tarrouch said the authorities were questioning those arrested, ádding “The investigation will tell if the troublemakers acted on behalf of a party or not.”
Shortly after the arrival of the funeral cortege at the Jellaz cemetery of Tunis, hooded young men began looting cars on the outskirts of the cemetery ans security forces who tried to stop them were pelted with stones.
Meanwhile, shops, banks and schools were closed on Friday following the strike.
The Bourguiba Avenue in the centre of the capital was surrounded by the largest number of policemen ever seen while the Interior ministry had a ring of iron bars to protect it.
Pana 09/02/2013