Tunisian Opposition Leader Allegedly Assaulted in Prison Amid Hunger Strike

Supporters of jailed Tunisian opposition leader Jawhar Ben Mbarek claim that prison authorities have brutally assaulted him in an attempt to end his two-week-long hunger strike. Ben Mbarek’s lawyer reported seeing evidence of torture and assault, including fractures and bruises on his client’s body. Despite the alleged assault, Ben Mbarek is reportedly maintaining his hunger strike.

Ben Mbarek has been imprisoned since 2023, serving an 18-year sentence for conspiring to overthrow President Kais Saied, charges he denies and claims were fabricated. His protest is part of a broader wave of hunger strikes by at least five jailed opposition leaders, who are demanding their release and claiming the charges against them are politically motivated.

Human rights groups have repeatedly accused President Saied’s government of using the judiciary to silence dissent, which critics say is a slide back into authoritarian rule. Saied has denied these accusations, asserting that the judiciary is independent. In 2021, Saied seized most powers and began ruling by decree, a move the opposition has described as a coup.

Ben Mbarek’s father has reported his son’s treatment to the prison director, who has promised to investigate. The father has also stated that he holds Saied responsible for any harm that comes to his son. The allegations of assault and torture have raised concerns about the treatment of opposition leaders in Tunisia and the use of force to suppress dissent.

The hunger strikes by jailed opposition leaders have drawn attention to the crackdown on dissent in Tunisia. The detainees are seeking their release, citing politically motivated charges. The situation has sparked concerns about the state of democracy and human rights in the country. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the government will respond to the allegations and the demands of the opposition leaders. The international community is watching the developments in Tunisia, where the balance between stability and democratic freedoms is being closely monitored.