TUNIS, TUNISIA - MARCH 18: Tunisia's Ennahdha Movement Leader Rached Ghannouchi holds a press conference about deadly attack at the Bardo Museum in Tunis, Tunisia on March 18, 2015. (Photo by Yassine Gaidi/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)

Tunisian opposition leader Ghannouchi begins hunger strike in prison

On Feb 21, 2024

Tunisian opposition leader Rached Ghannouchi went on hunger strike in solidarity with other anti-government figures waging a protest fast.

The imprisoned Ghannouchi, a fierce critic of President Kais Saied and head of the Ennahda main opposition party was jailed last year on charges of incitement against police and plotting against state security.

The 82-year-old was also sentenced earlier this month to three years in prison in a separate case on charges of accepting external financing.

His lawyers said in a statement that was quoted in the press as “while he is fighting the ’empty stomach’ battle, Ghannouchi calls on Tunisians to adhere to a democratic Tunisia that includes everyone on the basis of freedom … and the independence of the judiciary”.

At least six opposition leaders arrested in a 2023 crackdown began an open-ended hunger strike last week to protest at their imprisonment without trial and demand their immediate release from prison.

Africanews/Hauwa M.