Tunisian police and protesters clash after death at police station
Clashes have erupted between local residents and security forces in eastern Tunisia following the death of a detainee inside a police station. While relatives of the victim accuse security forces of causing his death, police say the young man had died in a fight outside the police station in the eastern Nabeul province.
- World
- Reuters
- Published Date: 01:23 | 17 February 2019
- Modified Date: 01:23 | 17 February 2019
Police in Tunisia fired tear gas on Saturday to disperse demonstrators who protested after a young man died inside a police station near the coastal resort of Hammamet, witnesses said.
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.
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.