Full Breakdown
Protesters Demand Release of Four Global Sumud Flotilla Activists in Tunis
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Protest Demands Release of Sumud Activists
Dozens gathered in central Tunis, marching from the Tunisian National Journalists’ Union headquarters to Avenue Habib Bourguiba. Demonstrators carried Tunisian and Palestinian flags, portraits of the four detainees, and chanted slogans against government repression. The rally called for the immediate release of Wael Naouar, Ghassen Henchiri, Ghassen Boughdiri and Nabil Channoufi and an end to the criminal case against them.
Detention and Hunger-Strike Timeline
The four men have been held since March on accusations of financial irregularities linked to fundraising for the Global Sumud Flotilla, an international campaign challenging Israel’s Gaza blockade. Naouar, a steering-committee member, began an open-ended hunger strike on August 16 to protest his detention. The other three activists joined the strike on September 9. A Tunisian court later extended their pre-trial detention by an additional four months.
Health Deterioration and Extended Pre-Trial Detention
Ghassen Bouaazi, a member of the National Committee for the Defence of Sumud Flotilla Activists, reported that Naouar’s health had “deteriorated considerably” after roughly 35 days without food, noting repeated fainting, breathing difficulty, hallucinations and a weight loss of more than 20 kg. Bouaazi warned of a “real danger” to Naouar’s life. He also described the accusations as “dubious claims” and framed the arrests as part of a broader campaign targeting activists, journalists, rights defenders and trade-unionists. Additionally, former UGET secretary-general Nidhal Khadraoui said Henchiri requires urgent surgery for a prior injury, but the procedure has not been performed despite a prison doctor’s recommendation.
Official Statements & Responses
President Kais Saied’s administration rejected claims that the judiciary is being weaponised, asserting that the courts are independent and that legal proceedings follow the law. In contrast, Khadraoui told Al Jazeera that “the Tunisian state, acting on behalf of the Zionist entity, is punishing our comrades for their struggle for Gaza and Palestine,” and held Saied’s authorities fully responsible for the activists’ imprisonment.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The Tunisian state, acting on behalf of the Zionist entity, is punishing our comrades for their struggle for Gaza and Palestine,” — Nidhal Khadraoui