Protests in Tunisia After Man Sets Himself Ablaze

Alsharq Tribune- AFP

Protests broke out late on Thursday in the Riadh district of the Tunisian city of Sousse after a young man set himself on fire in front of a police station, according to a report by the German news agency, dpa

The man was taken to a local hospital and is now at the intensive care unit. On Friday morning, his condition was described as “very critical,” according to media reports. It remains not clear why the young man set himself ablaze in front of the police station. Tunisian authorities did not provide details about what happened.

Following the incident, clashes erupted between locals and the police in Riadh. Tension in the area continued until late at night, especially after a number of young men tried to burn down the station. The area regained its calm in the early morning hours.

The act recalls the self-immolation of Mohamed Bouazizi, the street seller whose suicide by fire on December 17, 2010 launched Tunisia's revolution. Bouazizi set himself alight after his fruit cart was confiscated when he refused to move off an unlicensed pitch.

On Friday, a security source told local media that after Ahmed Al-Khalifi set himself on fire in front of a police station, information spread confirming his death. The rumors led a number of his relatives to attack the station.

The source added that some residents took advantage of the incident to participate in the clashes with police officers, causing material damage to private properties and cars.