Tunisia policeman sets himself ablaze after authorities prevent marriage

A Tunisian policeman has attempted to commit suicide by setting himself on fire after security officials prevented him from marrying his fiancee.

The policeman made the suicide attempt on Friday in the city of Kairouan, The New Arab's Arabic-language service reported.

"Authorities managed to save the policeman after he poured gasoline over his body and set himself on fire outside his fiancee's house," the report said.

"This happened after his department failed to allow him to marry his fiancee because of her brother's involvement in terror case,"

It added that the policeman was rushed to hospital, where he was treated for third-degree burns.

In December 2010, a street vendor set himself on fire after his wares were confiscated by police.

Mohamed Bouazizi's self-immolation incited demonstrations and riots throughout Tunisia in protest of social and political issues in the country, becoming a catalyst for the Tunisian Revolution and the Arab Spring.