In Tunisia, protesters demanded release of four Sumud flotilla activists — Al Jazeera
Dozens of people rallied in the Tunisian capital, demanding the release of four activists from the international Global Sumud Flotilla campaign who have been held in custody since March. Participants marched from the headquarters of the National Syndicate of Tunisian Journalists to Habib Bourguiba Avenue in the city center, carrying Tunisian and Palestinian flags and portraits of the detainees.
As Al Jazeera English reports, several days before the protest, a court extended the pretrial detention of Wael Nawwar, Ghassen Henchiri, Ghassen Bougdiri and Nabil Channoufi by another four months. According to Tunisian state media, citing judicial sources, the investigation concerns alleged financial violations related to fundraising for the flotilla. The activists and their lawyers deny any wrongdoing.
Hunger strike
Wael Nawwar, a member of the flotilla’s steering committee, began an open-ended hunger strike on August 16 in protest against his detention. According to the activists’ supporters and the Global Sumud Flotilla, three other detainees joined him on September 9.
Ghassen Bouazi, a member of the National Committee for the Defence of Sumud Flotilla Activists, told Al Jazeera that Nawwar’s condition had significantly deteriorated. According to him, the activist repeatedly fainted, experienced breathing difficulties and hallucinations, and lost more than 20 kilograms of weight. The committee places political, legal and moral responsibility for any possible harm to the detainees on President Kais Saied and his government.
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Supporters’ statements
Former members of the Tunisian General Student Union and student movement activists called for the immediate release of the four detainees and for the mobilization of student, trade union, human rights and civil society organizations around the case.
Former union Secretary-General Nidhal Khadraoui also stated that Ghassen Henchiri needs urgent surgery because of complications from an injury he sustained while being held in Israel. According to him, the operation has still not been performed, although it was recommended by a prison doctor.
Human Rights Watch has stated that Tunisian authorities are increasingly using financial legislation, anti-money laundering legislation and terrorism legislation against civil society representatives and activists. Saied’s government rejects accusations of using the judicial system to suppress opponents and insists that the judiciary is independent and that proceedings are conducted in accordance with the law.
