Tunisia’s Ennahdha leader in detention health scare and crackdown context
Rights groups have reported at least 10 prisoner deaths in Tunisia during a severe August heatwave, citing overcrowding, water and power cuts and poor medical care; the Committee to Protect Journalists has urged release of jailed Tunisian reporters. In Iran, courts have handed death sentences to two women over January protests and lawmakers are considering a bill that would criminalise contact with foreign media, curbing reporting and international engagement.
A Tunisian court has sentenced former Ennahda acting leader Mondher Ounissi to nine years and journalist Zied El Heni to four years in a case connected to leaked audio and terrorism charges. Several defendants tried in absentia receive long terms. The cases follow President Kais Saied’s consolidation of power and mounting pressure on dissent.