Detained Tunisian opposition figure announces hunger strike

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
28 Sep 2023 00:17

Other detainees involved in the case of "conspiring against state security" are likely to engage in the hunger strike until they are released.

Tunisian opposition figure Jaouhar Ben Mbarek (C) taking part in a protest (AP)

After spending more than seven months in pretrial imprisonment, Jaouhar Ben Mbarek, a leader of the National Salvation Front and a critic of Tunisian President Kais Saied, has gone on hunger strike.

Tunisian lawyer Islem Hamza, a member of the defense team for those detained in what is known as the case of "conspiring against state security," announced on Wednesday that the head of the Ennahda Movement, Rached Ghannouchi, expressed no hesitation about the possibility of going on a hunger strike, similar to Jaouhar Ben Mbarek, who has been held in custody since February 2023.

His lawyer and a member of the Political Detainees Defense Committee, Dalila Msaddek, indicated in a post on Facebook that the opposition figure announced his hunger strike in protest against the "judicial farce led by the investigative judge at the antiterrorism Division."

"Jaouhar will be our inspiration and leader this time," Hamza cited Ghannouchi as saying.

Previously, a judge issued an arrest warrant for Ben Mbarek, accusing him of helping in the formation of an alliance "with the aim of conspiring against the internal and external security of the state."

Ben Mbarek's lawyers affirm that he is adamant about moving forward with the strike until "all grievances" are addressed, including his release along with other detained opposition members.

It is likely that the rest of those involved in the case will engage in a hunger strike until they are released.

The Defense Committee stressed that the strike comes "in rejection of injustice and in protest against the use of the judiciary in political rivalry."

The Tunisian opposition has dismissed the government's allegations in the conspiracy case, calling them "fabricated" and accusing the judiciary of partnering with Saied's attempt to stifle criticism.

In recent months, Tunisian courts have imprisoned more than 20 opposition-linked political, judicial, media, and business personalities, accusing them of conspiring against state security.

Among the detainees is the head of Ennahda Movement, Rached Ghannouchi, who was arrested on April 18. Tunisian authorities also shut down the movement's headquarters and banned the meetings of its leaders.

It is noteworthy that Ben Mbarek's National Salvation Front, one of Tunisia's largest opposition coalitions, has organized rallies since Saied dissolved parliament in July 2021. Since then, the Tunisian President has ruled by decree, with de facto authority over all branches of power, including the court.

On his part, President Saied has insisted that his actions are lawful and essential in order to bring the country out of years of instability and corruption.