Protests in Morocco over shocking death of fishmonger Killed by rubbish truck compactor in attempt to save fish

(ANSAmed) - RABAT, OCTOBER 31 - Thousands of people took to the streets in protest following the death of unlicensed fishmonger Mouhcine Fikri, 31, who was killed by a rubbish truck compactor while attempting to salvage merchandise that had been seized by police.



On Friday police seized cases of Fikri's fish for sale in the country's north between Tangier and Melilla, and threw them directly in the rubbish truck.



When Fikri tried to get them back, he became caught and pulled into the truck's compactor mechanism.



Initial reactions appeared online, including a video of the scene uploaded in protest, accompanied by questions over why Fikri wasn't saved when he could have been.



Thousands of people came out in protest from Rabat to Marrakech during his funeral on Sunday.



Several flags and signs called for justice and for Fikri to be recognised as a martyr.



One of the signs said: "Welcome to COP22, people are shredded here".



The country's interior minister has opened an investigation by request of the king.



There are now concerns that Fikri's death could set off a new season of protests in Morocco, just like the case of Mohamed Bouazizi in 2011, who set himself on fire in Sidi Bouzid and led to the Arab Spring in Tunisia.(ANSAmed).



