Jawhar Ben Mbarek, co-founder of the National Salvation Front and a prominent Tunisian opposition figure, was transferred to the hospital on Thursday night due to severe dehydration resulting from his prolonged hunger strike.

Since February 2023, Ben Mbarek has been in detention, sparking concern over his health condition as his family warns of its deterioration.

Ben Mbarek's sister, Dalila Ben Mbarek Msaddek, stated that doctors at the hospital detected a highly dangerous toxin affecting Ben Mbarek's kidneys.

Despite receiving treatment, he refused nutritional supplements to continue his hunger strike, which has lasted for 17 days.

On Friday afternoon, after being hospitalized, Ben Mbarek was released and returned to prison.

The situation escalated on Wednesday when family and legal representatives claimed that guards at the Belli prison where he is being held had physically assaulted him.

In response, Ben Mbarek's lawyer, Hanen Khemiri, filed a complaint with the public prosecutor, accusing prison officials of torture.

According to his defense team, authorities have opened an investigation into the alleged incident.

In April, Ben Mbarek was sentenced to 18 years in prison after more than two years of pre-trial detention on charges of 'conspiracy against state security' and 'belonging to a terrorist group.' Critics argue that these charges stem from a broader decline in civil liberties in Tunisia since President Kais Saied's power grab in July 2021.

Several opposition figures, including Rached Ghannouchi, the 84-year-old leader of Ennahdha party, have also launched hunger strikes in solidarity with Ben Mbarek.

Prison authorities have denied reports about deteriorating health conditions among detainees, claiming they are under continuous medical supervision.