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TUNIS: Dozens of people have been arrested over violent protests in Tunisia as ire mounts at rising costs and government austerity, with officials saying Tuesday one man died in unclear circumstances.
The authorities announced 44 people were detained nationwide overnight as several official buildings were damaged and 11 policemen wounded by stones and Molotov cocktails.
Officials said an autopsy would help determine how a 43-year-old man died in the town of Tebourba, west of Tunis. The police insisted they did not kill him, and said he suffered from “respiratory problems.”
On Tuesday small peaceful rallies were held in the center of Tunis and at least one other town calling for the end of austerity measures that are expected to increase the cost of living.
Tunisia has seen several days of protests after activists and politicians denounced hikes in value-added tax and social contributions introduced at the start of the year as a tough new budget was implemented.
Prime Minister Youssef Chahed decried the unrest, telling local radio that “we didn’t see protests, but instead people breaking things, stealing and attacking Tunisians.”

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