TUNIS, Tunisia

Tunisia on Friday extended the state of emergency, which was declared in 2015 as a result of a terrorist attack, until the end of this year.

The state of emergency, which would end on Feb. 20, was extended until Dec. 31, according to a presidential decree published in the Official Gazette.

On Jan. 18, President Kais Saied extended the state of emergency for another month.

The North African country first announced the state of emergency in 2015 following a terrorist attack. Since then, it has been extended by authorities.

Under the measures, the Interior Ministry is granted emergency powers to stop meetings and gatherings, impose curfews, and clamp down on media organizations.

According to rights groups, these restrictions constitute violations of human rights and widespread abuses.

*Writing by Gozde Bayar in Ankara