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Tunisian Opposition Detainees Start Hunger Strike in Prison

Six Tunisian opposition figures began an open hunger strike on Monday. (Tunisian media) 
Six Tunisian opposition figures began an open hunger strike on Monday. (Tunisian media) 
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Tunisian Opposition Detainees Start Hunger Strike in Prison

Six Tunisian opposition figures began an open hunger strike on Monday. (Tunisian media) 
Six Tunisian opposition figures began an open hunger strike on Monday. (Tunisian media) 

Six Tunisian opposition figures began an open hunger strike on Monday to denounce their one-year detention without formal charges or trial.

The detainees, held on charges of incitement and "plotting against state security", released a statement asking for their immediate release. They also demanded authorities to terminate the security and judicial prosecutions of all politicians and civil society activists who also suffer injustice.

In the statement, the six detainees demanded that the authorities cease meddling in judicial affairs, “stop threatening judges and intimidating defense lawyers held for expressing freedom of speech.”

The detainees include politician Khayam Turki, dissident and politician Abdelhamid Jlassi, Secretary-General of the Republican Party, lawyer Issam Chebbi, former Secretary-General of the Tayyar Party, lawyer Ghazi Chaouachi and lawyer Ridha Belhadj.

They also include leading member of the National Salvation Front and law professor Jaouhar Ben Mbarek.

Ben Mbarek’s sister, Dalida, who is a lawyer and member of the detainees' defense team, said: “The detainees consider themselves prisoners and hostages in the Mornaguia Prison as they have been detained for 356 days without a committing a crime. To date, there has been no evidence that any of the detainees had committed a crime.”

The opposition accuses President Kais Saied, who overhauled the political system in 2021 “to rectify the course of the revolution and combat corruption”, of fabricating charges against political dissidents and pressuring the judiciary.

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Islamabad: 50,000 Pakistanis Are Missing in Iraq

Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala. (EPA)
Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala. (EPA)
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Islamabad: 50,000 Pakistanis Are Missing in Iraq

Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala. (EPA)
Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala. (EPA)

Pakistan’s Minister of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Chaudhry Salik Hussain sparked controversy when he revealed that 50,000 Pakistanis have gone missing in Iraq over the years.

He urged the Baghdad government to immediately launch a probe into how the Pakistanis entered Iraq to visit religious sites during the month of Muharram, he was quoted as saying by Pakistan’s Ummat newspaper.

Islamabad is investigating how people have traveled outside Pakistan through illegal means, he remarked.

The permanent committee for religious affairs and interfaith harmony has since proposed new policies for trips to holy sites in foreign countries, including Iraq.

In Iraq, the minister’s comments drew mockery and condemnation on social media and sparked renewed debate over illegal workers in the country.

Politician Mishaan al-Juburi urged the government to make a statement over Hussain’s comments, warning that they may impact security and the labor force.

Hussain’s comments coincided with Iraqi police announcing the arrest of six Pakistanis in Baghdad on charges of theft.

Previously, military intelligence also announced the arrest of a nine-member Pakistani kidnapping and extortion gang in Baghdad. The gang had kidnapped foreigners for ransom.

Meanwhile, Labor Minister Ahmed al-Asadi expressed his concern and condemnation over the increasing number of illegal workers in Iraq.

He said his ministry will investigate the disappearance of the Pakistanis.

He confirmed that several tourists, including Pakistanis, have flocked to Iraq in recent days, and many have taken up employment without the necessary legal permits.

He warned that this phenomenon is negatively impacting the national economy.

The ministry will not be lenient in taking the necessary legal measures against the violators, he vowed.

Iraq welcomes all tourists, whether they are here on a religious visit or otherwise, but they must respect local laws and regulations, declared Asadi.

Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala.