Tunisian opposition leader Abir Moussi begins hunger strike in protest of imprisonment

Abir Moussi, leader of Tunisia’s Free Destourian Party, has initiated on February 13 a hunger strike while imprisoned in Manouba, a suburb of Tunis, to protest against what she describes as ill-treatment by the authorities.

The move came after Moussi, who has been incarcerated since October 2023, raised concerns about her health and safety. Her legal team, represented by Nafeh Al-Aribi, confirmed that Moussi is now on an indefinite hunger strike in protest of the conditions in which she is being held and the lack of proper medical attention.

Moussi’s arrest stemmed from her opposition to a decree by President Kais Saied, which called for local elections in December 2023. On the day of her arrest, Moussi had attempted to file an appeal at the presidential reception office. When her request was refused, she streamed a live video on social media to explain her position, a move that led to her detention. The charges against her include disrupting official work, obstructing freedom of work, and mishandling personal data without consent.

Her defense team has expressed grave concerns over her deteriorating health, particularly after a critical medical setback over the weekend. Moussi, who was reportedly not transferred to an emergency facility or seen by a doctor, was only provided with a phone consultation and medication. This has raised questions about the treatment of political figures in detention and sparked further criticism of President Saied’s increasingly authoritarian government. Moussi’s hunger strike highlights the growing tensions between opposition groups and the ruling regime, as well as the broader political unrest within Tunisia.