A football player who had set himself on fire in a show of defiance toward the police has died.
On Thursday in Tunisia, Nizar Issaoui, 35, set himself on fire in front of a police station. Third-degree burns necessitated the striker's immediate hospitalization, but the specialized burns unit was unable to rescue him.
In a brief statement, Issaoui's brother acknowledged his passing, saying: "He died yesterday [Thursday] and will be buried today [Friday]." The former US Monastir player supposedly was falsely accused of terrorism by police after a quarrel over the price of bananas in a Tunisian village. He then resorted to drastic measures to protest what he called a "police injustice."
Later, in a statement, he discussed his altercation with the police, declared his plan to protest, and also pledged to sentence himself to death. I got accused of terrorism at the police station because of an argument with someone selling bananas for 10 dinars, Issaoui railed in a Facebook video. To complain about bananas is terrorism.
"I don't have any more energy," he continued. Please inform the police state that the sentence will be carried out today.
Viewers screaming as the terrifying incident took place may be seen in a video of the shocking scenes. In the wake of his death, police and protesters engaged in violent altercations in Issaoui's hometown of Haffouz.
As a furious mob approached the neighborhood police station, witnesses claimed that officers used gas to disperse the crowd. After Issaoui's funeral, the community's fury persisted, and mourners could be overheard saying, "With our blood and with our soul, we will sacrifice ourselves for you, Nizar."
