24 to stand trial in Tunisia over opposition murder
The trial of 24 people suspected of involvement in the 2013 murder of opposition leader Chokri Belaid, whose death triggered a political crisis, will open on 30 June, officials said on Thursday.
"The first hearing will take place on 30 June at the criminal court," said Sofiene Sliti, spokesman for the state prosecutor.
The suspects face several charges, including "incitement to commit terrorist crimes" and "membership of groups linked to a terrorist organisation", defence lawyer Samir Ben Amor said.
They are also suspected of providing information and funds to people known for their "terrorist activity", as well as weapons and explosives to others with links to "terrorists," he said.
Sliti said all 24 suspects are Tunisians and are currently in jail, except for one.
Belaid, who was gunned down outside his home on 6 February, 2013, was a staunch critic of the then ruling Ennahda party, which is often seen as Tunisia's branch of the Muslim Brotherhood but was born out of unique local circumstances.
His murder triggered deadly protests and a political crisis that brought down Ennahda's prime minister Hamadi Jebali.
Five months later the cradle of the Arab Spring uprising plunged into further crisis with the murder of another opposition figure, Mohamed Brahmi.
Militants claimed both killings and the authorities announced in February 2014 that Belaid's assassin had been killed in a police raid on "terrorist" suspects.
But Belaid's family has repeatedly demanded to be told "the truth".
"Nothing has changed for us and nothing will change... until those responsible for his murder are identified and judged and until we know who planned, financed (the murder) and covered for the terrorists," Belaid's widow, Basma Khalfaoui, said in February.
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