Tunisian football player lights himself on fire in a show of defiance against the “police state”

Nizar Issaoui, 35, the victim, suffered third-degree burns as a result of his deed. Issaoui declared that he had sentenced himself to “death by fire” in a Facebook post that was written just before his tragic act.

In a demonstration against the “police state” in charge of the nation, a professional football player in Tunisia committed suicide by setting himself on fire earlier this week in the village of Haffouz in the area of Kairouan, according to The Guardian.

According to his brother Ryan, the victim, Nizar Issaoui, 35, suffered third-degree burns as a result of his deed.

According to Ryan, Nizar was transferred from a hospital in Kairouan to a burns specialist facility in Tunis, but medical staff were unable to rescue him. On Friday, he was laid to rest.

Issaoui declared that he had sentenced himself to “death by fire” in a Facebook post that was written just before his tragic act. “I’m out of energy. Please inform the police state that the sentence will be carried out today.

On Thursday night, according to Tunisian media, protests broke out in the streets of Haffouz in response to news of Issaoui’s passing. Police fired tear gas in response to young protesters throwing stones at them.

Similar altercations occurred Friday during the funeral. Before Issaoui’s funeral, hundreds of mourners gathered in front of his home and chanted, “With our blood and with our soul we will sacrifice ourselves for you, Nizar.”

Issaoui reportedly made his dramatic protest against the police after being accused of “terrorism” by policemen when he complained that he couldn’t buy bananas for less than 10 dinars ($3.30) a kilogram, which is double the price established by the government.