Tunisian police and protesters clash after death at police station

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.

Police and protesters clashed in the restive western region of Kasserine in December after a journalist set himself on fire in protest at economic conditions in the area. Abderrazk Zorgui, 32, set himself alight, triggering a surge of anger directed at authorities.

Protesters clashed with riot police and set tyres on fire to block roads. The journalist said in a video filmed before his death: "For the sons of Kasserine who have no means of subsistence, today I start a revolution".