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Tunisia footballer dies after setting himself on fire in protest

Nizar Issaoui said he had sentenced himself to "death by fire" in a protest against the North African country's deteriorating economy.

According to Tunisian media, Issaoui was charged with terrorism for complaining that he was unable to buy bananas for less than $3.3 (10 dinars) a kilogramme.

A professional footballer in Tunisia has died after setting himself alight earlier this week in what he said was a protest against the "police state" ruling the country, his brother said.

Nizar Issaoui, 35, suffered third-degree burns from his action in the village of Haffouz in the central region of Kairouan, his brother Ryad said on Friday.

He was taken from the hospital in Kairouan to the specialist burns hospital in Tunis but doctors were unable to save his life, the brother said.

"He died yesterday (Thursday) and will be buried today."

In a Facebook post shortly before his fatal action, Issaoui said he had sentenced himself to "death by fire".

"I have no more energy. Let the police state know that the sentence will be executed today," he wrote.

News of Issaoui's death sparked protests on the streets of Haffouz on Thursday evening, Tunisian media reported. Young demonstrators hurled stones at police who responded with tear gas.

There was no immediate comment from the authorities.

Clashes, unrest, and heavy use of tear gas in Haffouz, Kairouane, where protests erupted after the death of Footballer Nizar Issaoui.
Issaoui set himself ablaze after what he deemed "fake terrorism charges" following a dispute with a merchant.#Tunisia #Protests
📸 Social Media pic.twitter.com/aGyhGwYMp8
— Souhail Khmira (@SKhmira) April 14, 2023

'Terrorism for a complaint about bananas'

Issaoui was a free agent at the time of his death after a career that saw him play for a range of clubs from the lower divisions to the top flight.

Issaoui's protest recalled that of street vendor Mohamed Bouazizi, who burned himself to death on December 17, 2010, sparking the Tunisian revolution that was the trigger for the Arab Spring uprisings which toppled authoritarian regimes across the Middle East.

According to Tunisian media, Issaoui decided to make his extreme protest against the police after officers accused him of "terrorism" when he complained that he was unable to buy bananas for less than $3.3 (10 dinars) a kilogramme, double the price set by the government.

A video selfie circulating on social media shows Issaoui screaming: "For a dispute with someone selling bananas at 10 dinars, I get accused of terrorism at the police station. Terrorism for a complaint about bananas."

SOURCE: TRTWorld and agencies