Cops, protesters clash after youth’s death at Tunisia police station


FE Team | Published: February 17, 2019 11:48:08 | Updated: February 23, 2019 11:03:57


Police officers secure the area at the site of an explosion that occurred in Tunis, Tunisia October 30, 2018 - Reuters photo used for representation

Police in Tunisia fired tear gas to disperse demonstrators who protested after a young man died inside a police station near the coastal resort of Hammamet, witnesses said on Saturday.

The young man was arrested on Friday after a fight between groups of youths in the town of Barraket Essahel, 60 kms (37 miles) southeast of the capital Tunis, according to locals. While it was not immediately clear how he died, demonstrators blamed the security forces, reports Reuters.  

In a statement, the Interior Ministry said the young man had fainted after reaching the police station and died despite officers’ efforts to revive him. It said a judge had ordered an investigation.

Police in Barraket Essahel were not immediately available to comment.

Tunisian activists say abuses by security forces have continued, albeit at a lower rate, since the 2011 revolution that overthrew the regime of President Zine El-Abidine Ben Ali.

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