Greece: Afghan tries to burn himself to death

An Afghan man tried to set himself on fire near the US embassy in the Greek capital Athens in protest of America’s policies in Afghanistan.

According to local media, the Afghan migrant came to Betro Kocaeli Street behind the US embassy in Athens with a gas canister in his hand, and tried to burn himself by pouring flammable material on his body. Embassy guards managed to arrest the man before he set himself on fire.

After the Afghan immigrant was referred to the security directorate in Athens, and in his first testimony, he said that he had tried to end his life in protest against the US policy towards his country.

Over the last few weeks, the Taliban has extended its control over most of Afghanistan as the US and other foreign troops withdraw their forces from the country after a nearly two-decade long occupation.

READ: UK accused of discriminatory treatment as dual nationals left stranded in Afghanistan