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Self-immolation spreads in Middle East

Self-immolation is becoming tragically more common in the Middle East, including Lebanon, where Syrian refugees are not the only ones setting themselves on fire in acts of desperation and despair.

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Mohammed Heriz lies in his hospital bed after surviving self-immolation, in Beirut, Lebanon, Oct. 24, 2015. — Ash Gallagher

BEIRUT, Lebanon — Twenty-five-year-old Mohammed Heriz lay in his hospital bed in Beirut, breathing heavily, covered head to waist in bandages. His eyes struggled to stay open after a dose of morphine for the pain of his burned body.

On Oct. 16, Heriz set himself ablaze during a protest in front of the Lebanese military court. Protesters were demanding the release of citizens detained by the Lebanese military earlier in the month.

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