Tunisia opposition leader shot dead

Tunisia’s leading leftist opposition leader, Chokri Belaid, was shot dead, after leaving his home in the capital of Tunis.

According to Belaid’s family, the head of the opposition Democratic Patriots party who was a harsh critic of the government was hit by two bullets on Wednesday after leaving his home.

Soon after the death, the country’s Prime Minister Hamadi Jebali denounced the act, saying “This is a criminal act, an act of terrorism not only against Belaid but against the whole of Tunisia.”

Tunisia is witnessing an increase in violence, as the country has been under a state of emergency since January 14, 2011, when Ben Ali fled to Saudi Arabia after days of street protests that put an end to his 23-year rule.

Riots and protests broke out in Tunisia after a 26-year-old fruit vendor, identified as Muhammad Bouazizi, set himself on fire when police confiscated his merchandise.

Ben Ali’s regime was accused of widespread corruption as his relatives controlled much of the business sector in the country.