ALBAWABA - In solidarity with other political prisoners who are demanding their release from Tunisian prisons, jailed opposition leader Rached Ghannouchi announces going on a hunger strike.
Ghannouchi's defense team said in a statement "Ghannouchi staged a hunger strike in solidarity with hunger-striking detainees and all oppositionists in Tunisian prisons,".
"While he is fighting the 'empty stomach' battle, Ghannouchi calls on Tunisians to adhere to a democratic Tunisia that includes everyone based on freedom ... and the independence of the judiciary", his lawyers said in a statement.
On February 1, a Tunisian court sentenced Ghannouchi to three years in prison after accusing him of obtaining foreign funds for his movement. His hunger strike comes one day after six Tunisian convicts accused of collaborating against state security went on hunger strike on Sunday.
Ghannouchi, 82, a vocal opponent of President Kais Saied and the leader of Ennahda, the largest opposition party, was imprisoned last year on allegations of inciting against police and planning against state security.
"[One] that encompasses everyone on the basis of coexistence based on freedom, justice, the supremacy of the law, and the independence of the judiciary" his lawyers' statement continued.
According to the opposition, Saied's unexpected dissolution of the elected parliament in 2021 and steps to rule by decree constituted a coup.
Saied, who cemented his new constitutional powers in a low-turnout referendum in 2022, has claimed his actions were a coup, claiming they were necessary to preserve Tunisia from years of anarchy.
Opposition to Saied has intensified in recent months, owing mostly to unpopular economic changes, rising food prices, and shortages of necessities like as sugar, vegetable oil, and rice.
Saied fired Prime Minister Najla Bouden late at night in August without explaining why and replaced her with Ahmed Hachani, a former central bank official who has promoted conspiracy ideas on Facebook.
Six opposition leaders imprisoned in a crackdown last year went on an open-ended hunger strike last week to protest their unjust detention and demand their immediate release.
They demanded an end to legal prosecutions of all politicians, journalists, and civil society activists, as well as the cessation of coercion and threats against judges.
