Tunisia's jailed opposition leader Ghannouchi in 'critical condition,' lawyers say

NewsTunisia's jailed opposition leader Ghannouchi in 'critical condition,' lawyers sayLeader of the Ennahdha party Rached Ghannouchi makes a signe as he arrives at Tunisia's anti-terrorism unit in Tunis, Tunisia, Tuesday, July 19, 2022.   -   Copyright © africanews Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reservedBy Rédaction Africanews and AFPLast updated: 24/07 - 11:18TunisiaTunisia’s jailed opposition leader Rached Ghannouchi is in “critical condition,” his lawyers said on Thursday, after the 85-year old fainted and suffered severe exhaustion. The Ennahda party leader was arrested in 2023 on multiple charges, including accusations of plotting against the state. He was sentenced to a total of more than 40 years in prison in separate cases. "The defence team for professor Rached Ghannouchi expresses its deep concern regarding the serious deterioration in his health condition," his lawyers said in a statement."Despite this critical condition, the authorities have refused to allow any visits from our client by his lawyers or family members, in flagrant violation of the law and the fundamental rights of prisoners," the lawyers added. The Islamist-inspired Ennahdha played a key role in Tunisian politics for years before Ghannouchi was detained. Ghannouchi was speaker of parliament at the time of President Kais Saied's power grab in the summer of 2021. Tunisia emerged as the Arab world's only democracy following the ouster of longtime ruler Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in 2011, which kicked off the Arab Spring uprisings. But since Saied came to power in 2019, local and international NGOs say there has been a regression of rights and freedoms.Related articles01:03Human Rights Watch raises alarm over Tunisian crackdown on activists 08/07 - 20:3201:26Prominent Tunisian rights activist Sihem Bensedrine sentenced to 25 years 27/06 - 15:1301:00Tunisia court sentences former justice minister to 20 years in prison 07/05 - 09:37From the same country00:53Most Tunisian regions on high alert amid second extreme heatwave 27/08 - 21:0501:52Tunisian coastal town mourn death of residents who drowned at sea 26/08 - 19:0801:04Protests erupt in Tunisia after migrant boat sinks 24/08 - 16:45View moreShareMore About Human Rights Kaïs Saïed Arab Spring TunisiaRelated articles01:03Human Rights Watch raises alarm over Tunisian crackdown on activists 08/07 - 20:3201:26Prominent Tunisian rights activist Sihem Bensedrine sentenced to 25 years 27/06 - 15:1301:00Tunisia court sentences former justice minister to 20 years in prison 07/05 - 09:37From the same country00:53Most Tunisian regions on high alert amid second extreme heatwave 27/08 - 21:0501:52Tunisian coastal town mourn death of residents who drowned at sea 26/08 - 19:0801:04Protests erupt in Tunisia after migrant boat sinks 24/08 - 16:45On the same subjectNEWSGo to videoLibya: Fifteen years after Gaddafi, country still divided 21/08 - 12:41NO COMMENT01:00Tibetan protesters in New Dehli denounce China with shaved heads and prayers 20/08 - 12:55NEWS01:10UN calls on Zambia to stop arbitrary arrests of opposition figures 19/08 - 15:28NEWS02:18Tunisia: Sidi Bou Said residents welcome UNESCO inscription 13/08 - 09:04NEWS01:06UNICEF says conflict in Sudan's north Kordofan kills 23 children in two months 29/07 - 15:53NEWS01:11Chad announces plans to withdraw from International Criminal Court 28/07 - 11:14More stories01:25General Abdourahamane TchianiCalm returns to Niger's capital one day after failed army mutiny 7 hours ago01:02CoupVote counting underway in Guinea-Bissau referendum that could expand presidential powers 6 hours ago00:56United KingdomNotting Hill Carnival kicks off in a burst of colour and Caribbean tradition 2 hours agoRead the full article at Africanews