Over 1,500 Tunisians pardoned on Republic’s anniversary

Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi has pardoned 1,583 detainees to mark the 60th anniversary of the proclamation of the Republic of Tunisia.

Of these 1,583 detainees, 412 will be released, according to the presidency on its official Facebook page.

Tunisia celebrates its 60th anniversary as a republic today, to mark the day in 1957 when the Tunisian Constituent Assembly, presided over by Jallouli Fares, announced the abolition of the monarchy and proclaimed the country as a Republic.

Lamine Bey, the last Bey of Tunis, was placed under house arrest, and Habib Bourguiba was named as the first president of the Tunisian Republic.

Tunisia has been battling an increase in corruption in the country following the revolution of 2011 that ousted longstanding leader Zine El Abidine Ben Ali with Prime Minister Youssef Chahed making it the top priority for his government.