Condemning Assassination of Opposition Politician Mohamed Brahmi in Tunisia,

Secretary-General Says ‘Heinous Act’ Must Not Derail Democratic Transition

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General condemns the assassination today of Mohamed Brahmi, an opposition politician and member of Tunisia's National Constituent Assembly.  The Secretary-General notes that this is the second assassination of a prominent political figure in Tunisia this year.  He calls for calm and stresses that acts of political violence weaken legitimate State institutions, which underpin the democratic process.

This heinous act must not be allowed to derail the progress that Tunisia continues to make in its democratic transition, including on the Constitution, and in meeting the social and economic aspirations of the Tunisian people.

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For information media • not an official record