Rached Ghannouchi Collapses in Prison Amid Health Concerns

Rached Ghannouchi, the 85-year-old leader of the Ennahda party and former Speaker of Parliament in Tunisia, is in critical condition after collapsing from severe exhaustion in prison. His legal team reported that prison authorities have denied access to both his lawyers and family members, which they describe as a violation of the law and prisoners' fundamental rights.

Ghannouchi was arrested in 2023 on multiple charges, including plotting against the state, and has received prison sentences totaling more than 40 years across various cases. He played a significant role in Tunisia's political transition following the 2011 Arab Spring uprising that ousted President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.

Ghannouchi was serving as Speaker of Parliament when President Kais Saied suspended parliament and consolidated power in 2021. Since Saied took office in 2019, his administration has faced accusations from local and international human rights organizations regarding the rollback of democratic rights and civil liberties.