SIDI BOUZID – A Tunisian court yesterday freed a policewoman accused of hitting a young fruit seller who in protest at his treatment by the authorities set himself on fire in an act that helped inspire regional revolts.
Mohamed Bouazizi set himself alight in front of a government building on December 17th, saying he had been driven to this by police, who had confiscated his fruit and vegetable cart over a permit. He died later in hospital.
His protest triggered a wave of protests which spread across the country and, about a month later, forced President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali to flee to Saudi Arabia, ending his more than two decades in office.
Faced with growing unrest after Mr Bouazizi’s death, Mr Ben Ali met the young man’s mother, who complained about policewoman Fadia Hamdi slapping and humiliating him publicly. Mr Ben Ali then ordered Ms Hamdi’s detention, in an apparent attempt to appease public anger.
But Mr Bouazizi’s mother withdrew her complaint against Ms Hamdi when the trial began in Sidi Bouzid, about 250km (155 miles) southwest of Tunis yesterday. “I’m innocent. I did not slap him,” Ms Hamdi said, before the judge dismissed the case.
Outside the court, hundreds gathered, some carrying banners calling for Ms Hamdi to be freed and saying she was a victim of Ben Ali. They shouted “Freedom, Freedom” and carried banners reading “Fadia is innocent”.
“This is a purely political affair. She is innocent,” Ms Hamdi’s lawyer, Besma Nasri, said.
The crowd outside cheered loudly on hearing the verdict. Tunisia’s revolution played a large part in inspiring the revolt in Egypt which toppled President Hosni Mubarak, as well as uprisings in other countries in the Arab world.
Seeking to assert their authority and gain legitimacy in the eyes of protesters, the caretaker authorities are attacking the vestiges of Mr Ben Ali’s 23-year rule. They renamed the main square in Tunis after Mr Bouazizi. – (Reuters)