Tunisian flotilla activists remain jailed as hunger striker worsens

What the report says

Four Tunisian activists linked to the Global Sumud Flotilla remain in pre-trial detention while one of them, Wael Naouar, continues a hunger strike that has raised concern about his health, according to Al Jazeera. The report says Naouar, a member of the flotilla’s steering committee, began refusing food on August 16 to protest his detention, and his lawyer described him as in very serious condition after more than three weeks without eating.

Al Jazeera reported from Tunis that the activists were first detained in March in connection with a financial inquiry ordered by Tunisia’s Economic and Financial Judicial Pole. The four still held are Naouar, Nabil Channoufi, Ghassan Henchiri and Ghassan Boughdiri. None has been convicted, and the case remains under judicial investigation. Authorities have not publicly set out the full allegations, though the lawyer cited claims including money laundering, breach of trust and forgery.

Supporters say the case is politically motivated and aimed at discouraging solidarity with Palestinians and efforts to organise further aid flotillas toward Gaza. The Global Sumud Flotilla has rejected the accusations. Human rights groups, including Human Rights Watch, have also warned that Tunisia has increasingly used financial and criminal cases against civil society figures. The activists are scheduled to appear in court on September 16, as concern grows over Naouar’s deteriorating condition.