Jawhar Ben Mbarek

Jawhar Ben Mbarek, a law professor and leading figure in the National Salvation Front, was arrested on 24 February 2023 in the framework of the “conspiracy against state security case”, and was sentenced at first instance to 18 years in prison. He was initially committed to Mornaguia Civil Prison, then transferred in December 2024 to Belli Civil Prison in Nabeul. While in Mornaguia prison, Jawhar Ben Mbarek went on three protest hunger strikes (26 September 2023 for 16 days, 13 February 2024 for 15 days, and 23 April 2024 for 22 days); during the first of these, his health deteriorated sharply on 9 October 2023, requiring his transfer to hospital without his relatives or lawyers being informed. During this period he was also prevented from receiving books (particularly those of a political nature) and incoming and outgoing letters, and from using the prison library, the gym and common areas, as part of what his lawyer described as an attempt to isolate him completely because he had been branded a “terrorist”.