Tunisia: Opposition leader begins hunger strike in prison

The head of Tunisia’s Free Destourian Party, Abir Moussi, yesterday began a hunger strike in prison in Manouba, west of the capital, in protest against her “ill-treatment”, Anadolu reported, citing Nafeh Al-Aribi, a member of Moussi’s defence team.

On 5 October 2023, a Tunisian investigating judge issued an arrest warrant for Moussi after she went to the presidential reception office to file an appeal against a decree issued by President Kais Saied, calling for local elections on 24 December of the same year.

At the time, the presidential office refused to sign her request, prompting Moussi to broadcast a live video on her Facebook page explaining her position, which led to her arrest by security forces.

Authorities accuse Moussi of “causing disruption, obstructing freedom of work, and handling personal data without the owner’s consent.”

In a press statement, Al-Aribi said: “Our client informed us that she no longer feels safe regarding her health or life and that she has officially begun an indefinite hunger strike from today, Wednesday, in protest against ill-treatment.”

He explained that Moussi “suffered a health setback over the past weekend and was in a critical condition, yet she was not transferred to the emergency department or seen by a doctor. Instead, a medical consultation was conducted over the phone, and she was given medication,” he said.

Tunisia association: Saied’s measures add 10,000 new detainees to prisons