Journalists working for Tunisia’s national television station were “violently attacked” while covering ‘anti-coup’ demonstrations in the country yesterday.

Sources at the Journalists Syndicate were quoted by local media as saying that journalists, Fadwa Shtoro and Ayman Al-Hajj Salem, were left with “severe head injuries” as a result of the assault.

“Some demonstrators also attacked two photojournalists who were securing field coverage,” the sources added.

The local security forces had intervened to protect the press team after they were attacked, and removed them from the site of the protest.

On 25 July, Tunisian President Kais Saied cited Article 80 of the constitution to dismiss Prime Minister Hicham Mechichi, freeze the work of parliament for 30 days, lift the immunity of ministers, and appoint himself as head of the executive authority until the formation of a new government.

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This comes after violent protests broke out in several Tunisian cities criticising the government’s handling of the economy and the coronavirus. Demonstrators had called for parliament to be dissolved.

The majority of the country’s political parties slammed the move as a “coup against the constitution” and the achievements of the 2011 revolution.

Protests have intensified against his actions over recent days, with Tunisians calling it a “power grab”.