Tunisia footballer dies after setting himself ablaze in a protest

According to his brother, a professional football player in Tunisia perished after setting himself on fire earlier this week in what he described as a protest against the "police state" in charge of the nation.

According to his brother Ryad, Nizar Issaoui, 35, sustained third-degree burns as a result of his actions in the village of Haffouz in Kairouan's central district.

He was transferred from a hospital in Kairouan to a burns centre in Tunis's capital, but his brother claimed that doctors were unable to save his life.

"He died yesterday (Thursday) and will be buried today."

Issaoui's demonstration was reminiscent of that of street seller Mohamed Bouazizi, who on December 17, 2010, set himself on fire and ignited the Tunisian revolution, which served as the impetus for the Arab Spring upheavals that overthrew autocratic governments throughout the Middle East.

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.

The officials didn't respond right away.

In preparation for Issaoui's funeral on Friday, a large crowd of mourners gathered in front of his home and sang "With our blood and with our soul we will sacrifice ourselves for you, Nizar."

Local media stated that during his funeral, there were altercations between demonstrators and police, who used tear gas.

During a career that saw him play for a variety of clubs from the lower divisions to the top flight, Issaoui was a free agent at the time of his death.

In a Facebook post shortly before his fatal action, Issaoui said he had sentenced himself to "death by fire".

"I have no more energy. Let the police state know that the sentence will be executed today," he wrote.

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.

A video selfie circulating on social media shows Issaoui screaming: "For a dispute with someone selling bananas at 10 dinars, I get accused of terrorism at the police station. Terrorism for a complaint about bananas."