Self-immolation victim in Tunis sparks protests

Protests broke out Sunday in the Ettadhamen area in Tunis following the immolation of a 30 year old man by the name of  Khaled al-Gebali. The young citizen from the governorate of Ariana, Saturday, set fire to himself in the street at the intersection of El Menzah VI. The young man sprayed himself with a flammable liquid before setting fire to himself. He died of his burns on the spot. Traffic was blocked for a short time before transferring the body to Charles Nicolle Hospital in Tunis. Following his funeral, hundreds of angry young men blocked traffic leading to  Ettadhamen which is considered one the poorest neighbourhoods in Tunis. Young men also set fire to rubber tyres.    According to preliminary information, the young man had been oppressed by a business man whom he worked for, and who refused to  pay him for his employment. The businessman also  accused al-Gebali of breaking into his house and called the police to interrogate him. The police apaprently sided with the businessman and the accused suffered psychological trauma.  This,  in addition to his poor social situation, led him to set fire to himself. The protesters vowed to take revenge on the businessman and raised  banners  to highlight conditions of  poverty, marginalisation and unemployment  as the factors behind why poor people like Khaled al-Gebali, committed suicide.