Another Algerian sets himself alight

A young Algerian peddler died after setting himself on fire in Tiart, 450 km south-west of Algiers, as local government prevented him from displaying his goods on the city center's sidewalk. Algerian newspapers reported that 23-year-old Hisham Kassem died on Monday at the University Hospital of Oran. The incident immediately sparked protests and violence among the young man's colleagues throughout the city. Newspapers also reported that the Civil Court ordered to arrest four young protesters, and put other 13 under judicial control. The action aims to prevent the suspects from leaving the country and to abide them to appear before the judicial judge each week for signature. Who does not follow this procedure will be arrested; yet the court has released other minors previously imprisoned. Since the second half of January 2011, 13 people have set themselves alight in Algeria to protest against the lack of housing, unemployment and general poverty. Those bids were celarly inspired by Mohammed Bouazizi, the young Tunisian whose self-immolation triggered the popular uprising that ended in the downfall of Ben Ali's regime.