Tunisian opposition leader Chebbi begins indefinite hunger strike in prison

Ahmed Nejib Chebbi, the National Salvation Front opposition leader in Tunisia, has begun an indefinite hunger strike in prison. His family said the 82-year-old Chebbi took the decision to protest prisoners being deprived of their right to access information.

Scraper SystemOctober 01, 2026, 07:57 PM

Tunisian opposition leader Chebbi begins indefinite hunger strike in prison

Ahmed Nejib Chebbi, the National Salvation Front opposition leader held in prison in Tunisia, has begun an indefinite hunger strike.

Chebbi's daughter and lawyer, Haifa Chebbi, said in a family statement that the 82-year-old opposition leader began his action on Thursday morning. The family said Chebbi was protesting the prison administration's alleged deprivation of prisoners' right to access information.

The family alleged that political prisoners were being subjected to pressure, deprived of the humanitarian rights they retained and completely cut off from the outside world. It said Chebbi viewed the hunger strike he was conducting from prison as the only way to break the pressure on Tunisians, particularly detainees.

Tunuslu muhalefet lideri Ahmed Necib eş-Şabi (arşiv)

The family said Chebbi expressed his decision in the words: "I would rather die with dignity than live without it."

Tunisia's General Administration of Prisons and Rehabilitation did not immediately comment on the family's statement. In several previous statements, the institution had denied allegations that prisoners were being mistreated.

Chebbi is serving a 12-year prison sentence

Ahmed Nejib Chebbi has been serving a 12-year prison sentence since December 4, 2025, on charges of "conspiring against state security."

Tunus'taki Habib Burgiba Caddesi (arşiv)

Political crisis deepens in Tunisia

Tunisia's political crisis deepened after President Kais Saied began taking exceptional measures on July 25, 2021. During this period, the Assembly of People's Representatives was dissolved, regulations were introduced through presidential decrees, a new constitution was adopted by referendum and early legislative elections were held.

Some political forces in the country described these steps as a coup against the constitution and the strengthening of absolute personal rule, while others viewed the process as a correction of the 2011 revolution. Saied maintains that his measures were implemented within the constitutional framework to protect the state from an imminent danger and that freedoms and rights were not violated.

Tunisian opposition leader Chebbi begins indefinite hunger strike in prison