Rached Ghannouchi, an 85-year-old jailed opposition leader in Tunisia, temporarily lost consciousness during a severe heatwave at Mornaguia prison, according to Haifa Chebbi, daughter of fellow imprisoned opposition figure Ahmed Nejib Chebbi. Chebbi described witnessing the incident during a prison visit earlier this week and reported temperatures reaching 52 degrees Celsius within the facility.
Chebbi characterized the prison environment as restrictive, noting that detainees occupy cells measuring no larger than 16 square meters and are permitted only two hours of daily outdoor time. She described her own physical discomfort during the visit, stating she struggled to breathe and walk. Ghannouchi, who serves as a former parliament speaker and leader of the Ennahda political movement, has been imprisoned since 2023. He was hospitalized on April 30 following health complications but subsequently returned to the facility.
Ghannouchi represents one of 37 opposition figures charged with conspiracy against state security in 2025 and sentenced to imprisonment. These detentions occurred within the context of increasing restrictions under President Kais Saied’s administration. The United Nations human rights chief characterized the convictions as setbacks to justice and rule of law, citing documented violations of fair trial and due process protections.
Chebbi emphasized that prison staff were managing conditions to the extent possible and providing particular attention to elderly inmates. However, she highlighted the cumulative burden on aging prisoners spending their fourth consecutive summer in detention. She referenced other notable detainees, including lawyers and journalists, while connecting prison conditions to broader national challenges involving resource shortages and calling for political reform measures.
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