Ennahda says detained Vice President Monther Ounissi has lost ability to speak

Tunisia’s opposition Ennahda Movement said on Thursday that its detained vice president, Monther Ounissi, has been unable to speak since 11^th July, raising concerns about his health and prompting renewed calls for medical treatment and his release.

In a statement published on Facebook, Ennahda said it was following Ounissi’s deteriorating condition with “grave concern” and called on authorities to provide him with appropriate medical care.

There was no immediate response from Tunisia’s General Directorate of Prisons and Rehabilitation to the latest allegations. The prison authorities have previously rejected accusations of medical negligence or mistreatment, saying detainees receive regular medical monitoring.

According to Ennahda, Ounissi lost his ability to speak after being informed of a court ruling against him in a case concerning the 2014 death of former parliamentarian Jilani Dabboussi.

Dabboussi, a businessman and former member of parliament during the presidency of Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, died on 7^th May 2014, shortly after being released from detention. He had been held since October 2011 on corruption-related charges.

Ounissi, a physician and specialist in nephrology and kidney transplantation, and former Justice Minister Noureddine Bhiri have denied wrongdoing in connection with Dabboussi’s death.

Ennahda said Ounissi’s family and lawyers have repeatedly requested intensive medical treatment, alleging that his health has deteriorated while in detention. The movement also alleged that he had experienced violence and mistreatment in prison, contributing to kidney complications. These claims could not be independently verified.

The movement said Ounissi had previously staged a hunger strike to protest his detention and called for his immediate release so that his family could oversee his medical care.

On 26^th June, the Tunis Court of Appeal upheld four-year prison sentences against Ounissi and Bhiri in connection with Dabboussi’s death. According to Tunisia’s official news agency, the investigation also involved a former prison doctor, a former public prosecutor and other former government officials.

Ennahda held Tunisian authorities legally and morally responsible for Ounissi’s well-being while in custody, while authorities have maintained in previous statements that prisoners receive necessary healthcare.