Tunisian opposition politician begins hunger strike in prison

By Maroua Sahli, Mahmut Geldi and Muhammed Enes Calli

TUNIS/ISTANBUL (AA) – Abir Moussi, the head of Tunisia’s opposition Free Destourian Party, went on a hunger strike in prison Wednesday.

Her defense attorney, Nafaa Laribi, informed the media that they are concerned about her health and safety.

Laribi said Moussi began the hunger strike in response to the ill-treatment she has endured in prison.

"Our client faced a health issue last weekend. Despite her critical condition, she was not taken to the infirmary, and no doctor was called," he said.

"Instead, they only prescribed medication through a phone consultation."

There has been no official statement from Tunisian authorities regarding the situation.

Moussi initially supported President Kais Saied’s extraordinary decisions made on July 25, 2021, in which he suspended parliament, dismissed the prime minister and took executive control of the country, citing emergency powers that he said were granted to him by the Constitution.

She later became an opponent of Saied, however, due to his approach toward political parties.

On Oct. 5, 2023, the Tunisian Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Moussi.