This morning, news slowly trickled in through national and international media following reports of Chokri Belaid`s assassination. Initial reports claimed Belaid died from two bullets to the head outside his home in Tunis, but medical reports followed up and clarified that there were four, not two. Immediately after news of his assassination surfaced, Tunisians mobilized across Tunis, with marches heading towards the Ministry of Interior and marches following the path of Belaid`s ambulance. Police responded with tear gas and warning shots near the Ministry of Interior.
Chokri Belaid was a prominent leftist politician, secretary general of the Democratic Patriotic Party (Watad), and a leader of the political opposition, the Popular Front coalition. Belaid`s assassination marks a shift in the post-Ben Ali democratic transition, with many speculating the escalation of violence. Meanwhile, below are snapshots of reactions and what is being said on social media: