20110124
xinhua

TUNIS, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- A TV channel owned by a relative of Tunisia's ousted former president Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali was suspended for a few hours Sunday after its owner was arrested for "treason."

The Hannibal TV resumed broadcast in the evening as Najib Chebbie, the development minister of the new interim government made a televised apology for the suspension, describing it as a "mistake."

Chebbie, commissioned by Prime Minister Mohammed Ghannouchi to make the remarks, said he was apologizing on the behalf of himself and the interim government and nothing against media freedom is allowed.

Earlier in the day, Tunisian authorities arrested Larbi Nasra, owner of Hannibal TV and his son, on the grounds that they have committed "treason" for provoking violence and assisting the return of the former president, according to the official TAP news agency.

The interim government said Nasra has been using his channel to abort the "youth's revolution," spread confusion and publish false information, state TV reported.

The ex-president fled to Saudi Arabia on Jan. 14, following weeks of violent protests against corruption, unemployment and soaring prices.