Faida Hamdy

Faida Hamdy (Arabic: فادية حمدي‎, born 1966) is a former Tunisian municipal inspector who contributed to the outbreak of the Tunisian revolution.[1]

Bouazizi case

Faida Hamdy is a municipal inspector who, in December 2010, confiscated several weighing scales from, and allegedly assaulted and insulted the dead father of street vendor Mohamed Bouazizi.[2] Complaining of being unable to support his family as a result, Bouazizi killed himself by self-immolation. This brought about the downfall of the previous Tunisian president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali via the Tunisian Revolution, and contributed to the onset of the Arab Spring.[3]

In December 2010, Hamdy was detained by the police shortly after the incident.[1] According to Hamdy, she did not slap Bouazizi, and merely confiscated his fruit stall and his weighing scales with the help of her co-workers.[4]

Several lawyers refused to legally represent Hamdy, and she was eventually represented by her relative Basma Manasry on a pro bono basis. On April 19, 2011, Hamdy was acquitted of all charges during the first hearing session,[5] after 111 days of imprisonment.[6]

Personal life

Faida Hamdy is the daughter of Myriam and Taher Hamdy, a former policeman.[7] Her brother, Faouzi Hamdi, is a teacher and a member of the Tunisian General Labour Union (UGTT).[8]

References
  1. "Woman who triggered the Arab Spring 5 years ago speaks out". nytimes. 2015.
  2. Karadsheh, By Ivan Watson and Jomana. "The Tunisian fruit seller who kickstarted Arab uprising". Retrieved 2017-09-11.
  3. "This is the woman who blames herself for the Arab Spring". The Independent. 2015-12-17. Retrieved 2017-09-11.
  4. Addala, Radhouane (2015-12-17). "'I started the Arab Spring. Now death is everywhere, and extremism blooming'". ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2017-09-11.
  5. "Q&A: Tunisian policewoman who "slapped" Bouazizi says "I was scapegoated by Ben Ali" - Region - World - Ahram Online". english.ahram.org.eg. Retrieved 2017-09-11.
  6. "Freedom for Faida Hamdi". CNN iReport. Retrieved 2017-09-11.
  7. "Fayda Hamdi, celle qui avait giflé Mohamed Bouaziz". LeQuotidien (in French). Retrieved 2017-09-11.
  8. "La révolution de la gifle". Libération.fr (in French). Retrieved 2017-09-11.
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