Tunisia government condemns assault on female MP in parliament

Abir Moussi, Tunisian leader of the Free Destourian Party (PDL) attends a parliament session on June 25, 2020 in the Tunisian capital Tunis [FETHI BELAID/AFP via Getty Images]

The Tunisian government yesterday condemned the assault on Member of Parliament Abir Moussi in parliament.

Moussi, the head of the Free Destourian Party, was assaulted in parliament by Sahbi Samara, an independent MP.

In an official statement, the government expressed its “absolute rejection of all practices that violate the democratic system” and the state’s stability and the flow of work in its institutions.

The government added that it considers the attack on Moussi to be an attack on Tunisian women in general, and on the gains they have made as a result of their long struggle for their rights.

In a video from a parliament session held yesterday, Samara can be seen getting up from his position and moving towards Moussi before repeatedly hitting her. Other MPs are then seen protecting the female minister.

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