Since this morning, Jaouhar Ben Mbarek, political prisoner on hunger strike, has been transferred to the Nabeul university hospital, announced his sister Dalila Ben Mbarek Msaddek on her personal page Sunday 16 Sunday 2025. He is currently hospitalized in the internal diseases department. However, until now it has not been possible to obtain precise information on his state of health, nor to visit him, she adds.
Family and loved ones are on site, awaiting news on his state of health.
Read also: Leila Jaffel: there is no hunger strike. They all eat!
Leïla Jaffel defends prison management: irony and denial around hunger strikes
During the plenary session of November 15, 2025 devoted to the Justice budget, Minister Leïla Jaffel adopted an ironic and sharp tone in the face of questions from deputies on prison overcrowding, the condition of prisoners and hunger strikes by certain political prisoners.
She denied the existence of “wild” hunger strikes and denounced what she called an “unfounded campaign” on social networks. According to her, the inmates continue to eat, even on strike, sometimes “half and half”.
She recalled that these strikes are medically supervised, while emphasizing the right of prisoners to refuse this follow-up. Finally, she minimized the impact of the strikes on judicial treatment and accused her detractors of harming the country without results.
Read also:What the nighttime hospitalization of Jaouhar Ben Mbarek reveals
Jaouhar Ben Mbarek was already urgently transferred to hospital on Thursday where tests revealed a dangerous toxic substance in the kidneys, a sign of the beginnings of rhabdomyolysis linked to severe dehydration. Despite medical treatment, he refused nutritional intake and presented serious symptoms: inability to walk, language problems, insomnia and rapid weight loss. His lawyer managed to convince him to drink at least one liter of water per day.
Investigation into assault at Belli prison
An investigation was opened after the attack on Jaouhar Ben Mbarek at Belli prison, where he was allegedly violently attacked by inmates and agents, according to his defense. Transferred to the Nabeul regional hospital, examinations confirmed bruises and traces of blows.
A doctor, alerted to torture, ordered his hospitalization, and an administrative investigation was launched. The defense denounces pressure on lawyers, some targeted by a judicial investigation, while the Bar Association protests against restrictions on visits.
The prison administration denies these accusations, contesting the hunger strike and ensuring medical monitoring of prisoners.
R.B.H.