The Republican Party announced, Friday, November 7, 2025, that its secretary general Issam Chebbi began an open hunger strike from his cell, to protest against “the injustice and the attack on freedom of opinion”.
Message from his cell
In a letter sent by his party, the political prisoner writes:
“I do not hate life and I do not like death, but I prefer to die standing for my right and that of my people to freedom and dignity, rather than live in the trenches. »
Issam Chebbi specifies that he decided to resist “until his last breath”, in defense of the independence of justice and for the release of all prisoners of conscience.
Detention since February 2023
Issam Chebbi, arrested on February 22, 2023, is detained in connection with the so-called “plot against state security” affair, which concerns more than twenty political figures, including a dozen still in detention.
Among them are Jaouhar Ben Mbarek, Ghazi Chaouachi, Khayam Turki, Abdelhamid Jelassi and Ridha Belhaj.
All are being prosecuted for endangering the internal and external security of the State, accusations that their relatives and several NGOs describe as politically motivated.
Alarming state of health of Jaouhar Ben Mbarek
Lawyer Karim Marzouki declared, Thursday, November 6, after a visit to Belli prison (Nabeul), that Jaouhar Ben Mbarek is in a “very weakened” state.
Since October 29, he has been on a wild hunger strike, without water or medicine.
“My decision is final, there will be no going back. I love life, but I love life that has meaning, not an absurd life,” he confided according to his lawyer.
The Tunisian League for Human Rights (LTDH) expressed its deep concern at the deterioration of his health, calling on the authorities to intervene quickly.
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