THERE have been clashes and heavy use of teargas in Tunisia following the death of footballer Nizar Issaoui.
Unrest erupted in Haffouz, Kairouane after the 35-year-old set himself on fire and died earlier this week in protest against police injustice.
He had accused the police of making ‘fake terrorism’ charges against him following a dispute with a local businessman.
In solidarity with Issaoui’s family, a large number of citizens gathered in front of the police station where the incident took place.
Issaoui is a former player of first division club US Monastir and a father of four.
He published a video on Facebook in which he said the reason for his protest was because he was falsely accused of terrorism in the central Tunisia city.
The striker, who was a free agent and playing in the lower leagues before his death, suffered third-degree burns and doctors could not save his life, his brother Ryad told reporters.
Local media said that Issaoui decided to make his extreme protest outside a police station after officers accused him of ‘terrorism’ when he complained about the price of bananas.
A video selfie circulating on social media shows Issaoui screaming: “For a dispute with someone selling bananas at 10 dinars ($3.29), I get accused of terrorism at the police station. Terrorism for a complaint about bananas.”
There has been tension in Tunisia lately with clashes between police forces and Sub-Saharan migrants and refugees occuring in the capital Tunis.
