Key facts
- Police used tear gas against protesters in Tunis on Thursday.
- Protests erupted following the death of a man in police custody.
- Clashes also occurred in southern towns of Jebeniana and Agareb.
- Students in Sfax protested over alleged delays in medical response.
Tunisian police fired tear gas to disperse protesters in Ettadhamen, a suburb of the capital, on Thursday after the death of a man detained on suspicion of drug dealing. The man's family alleged he died as a result of police violence, while local media reported he died after swallowing drugs. Protesters blocked roads, burned tires, and threw stones at police, who responded with tear gas. Similar clashes occurred in the southern towns of Jebeniana and Agareb. In Sfax, students protested the death of a female student, citing delays in ambulance arrival due to a lack of medical facilities. The protests coincide with a deepening economic, social, and political crisis in Tunisia, fueling fears of wider unrest.