Jailed Tunisian Opposition Leader Rached Ghannouchi in Critical Condition, Lawyers Warn
On Thursday, the legal team of Rached Ghannouchi, the 85‑year‑old founder and longtime leader of Tunisia’s Ennahda movement, announced that his health has deteriorated to a “critical” state after he fainted and suffered severe exhaustion while in detention.
Health Situation and Prison Conditions
According to a statement released by Ghannouchi’s defence lawyers, the former parliamentary speaker experienced a sudden loss of consciousness, followed by signs of extreme fatigue that required immediate medical attention.
The lawyers emphasized that, despite his fragile condition, prison authorities have repeatedly denied requests for visits from both family members and legal counsel.
“Despite this critical situation, the authorities have refused to allow visits to our client by his lawyers or family members, which is a blatant violation of the law and the fundamental rights of prisoners.”
— Statement from Ghannouchi’s defence team, 26 Sept 2025
International human‑rights monitors, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have repeatedly warned that prolonged isolation and limited access to healthcare can constitute cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
Legal Background and Sentencing
Ghannouchi was first detained in July 2023 on a series of charges ranging from “conspiracy against the state” to “money laundering.” In a series of separate trials, Tunisian courts handed him cumulative sentences exceeding 40 years of imprisonment.
The charges stem largely from accusations that Ennahda, the Islamist‑inspired party he led for decades, sought to undermine the presidential authority of Kais Saied, who consolidated power after a controversial 2020 expanded presidential prerogatives.
Legal experts note that the breadth and severity of the sentences are unprecedented in Tunisia’s post‑2011 judicial history.
- July 2023 – Initial arrest on terrorism‑related allegations.
- December 2023 – First conviction: 15 years for “plotting against state security.”
- March 2024 – Additional conviction: 12 years for “financial misconduct.”
- June 2024 – Further sentencing: 13 years on charges of “inciting public disorder.”
- Total cumulative term: >40 years.
Political Context and Democratic Backsliding
Before his arrest, Ghannouchi was a central figure in Tunisian politics. He served as Speaker of the Constituent Assembly from 2011 to 2014 and later as Speaker of Parliament after the 2019 elections, a role he held until President Kais Saied’s unilateral measures in July 2021 dissolved the legislature and assumed executive authority.
The 2011 revolution, which toppled longtime autocrat Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, was widely celebrated as the sole successful democratic transition emerging from the Arab Spring. However, a series of reports from the United Nations Development Programme and NGOs such as Freedom House indicate a marked regression in political freedoms since 2021.
Key indicators of this backsliding include:
- Restrictions on press freedom, with numerous journalists facing prosecution.
- Limitation of peaceful assembly and the use of emergency decrees to curb protests.
- Increased surveillance and arbitrary detentions of political opponents, activists, and civil‑society leaders.
International Reaction and Calls for Release
The announcement of Ghannouchi’s deteriorating health has prompted concern from foreign governments and multilateral bodies. The European Union’s External Action Service issued a statement urging Tunisian authorities to “ensure adequate medical care and respect for due process.”
Similarly, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights called for an independent medical examination and reminded Tunisia of its obligations under international law to treat detainees humanely.
Domestically, opposition parties, legal associations, and civil‑society groups have organized peaceful vigils outside the prison where Ghannouchi is held, demanding his immediate release on humanitarian grounds.
Looking Ahead
As Tunisia navigates a turbulent political landscape, the case of Rached Ghannouchi underscores broader tensions between security‑driven governance and the protection of civil liberties. Observers warn that without meaningful dialogue and adherence to judicial guarantees, the country risks further erosion of the democratic gains achieved after the 2011 uprising.
Continued monitoring by independent media, international NGOs, and regional bodies will be essential to assess both the health of the detained leader and the state of Tunisia’s democratic institutions.
