Four activists linked to the Global Sumud Flotilla remain in pre-trial detention in Tunisia, six months after arrests began in a financial investigation. Wael Naouar, one of the detainees, has been on hunger strike since August 16 and was entering his 24th day without food when his lawyer described his condition as “very serious” on Tuesday.
Naouar’s lawyer, Bassem Trifi, said the activist had lost 18kg and was experiencing low blood pressure, low blood sugar, difficulty breathing, walking and speaking, as well as pain throughout his body. The four detainees are due to appear in court on September 16.
What the investigation concerns
State news agency TAP, citing a judicial source, reported that investigators were examining “suspicious financial flows” received by organisers of the flotilla. The inquiry is focused on the origin and use of the funds and whether they were diverted for purposes unrelated to the flotilla.
Trifi said the allegations include money laundering, aggravated breach of trust and forgery. He argued that the fundraising was part of a solidarity campaign rather than ordinary financial activity governed by public procurement and accounting rules. Tunisian authorities have not publicly detailed the allegations or responded to requests about the detainees’ detention and Naouar’s health. For additional context, see “Thiago Avila calls for release of four Tunisian Sumud organisers”.
What we know now
- Seven activists were initially detained in March; three have since been released.
- The investigation is being handled by Tunisia’s Economic and Financial Judicial Pole.
- None of the four remaining detainees has been convicted of an offence.
- The Global Sumud Flotilla has called the allegations unfounded and demanded their release.
Supporters reject the case’s premise
Supporters say the proceedings criminalise solidarity with Palestinians and attempts to organise another flotilla towards Gaza. Anis Harrathi, a member of the committee supporting the detainees, said Naouar viewed his hunger strike as a protest against what he considered a wider effort to use prison to silence political and civic activity.
The Global Sumud Flotilla, the human rights group HuMENA and Brazilian activist Thiago Avila have called for the activists’ release. A solidarity rally was held in Tunis on Sunday, where Rachid Othmani of the National Committee for Defense of Sumud Flotilla Activists said the campaign would continue until the detainees were freed.
The wider rights debate in Tunisia
The arrests have taken place amid criticism from rights groups over restrictions on civil society and political activity under President Kais Saied. Human Rights Watch said in a report published last week that at least 47 people connected to non-governmental organisations had been prosecuted and at least 14 convicted and sentenced to prison since 2025.
The organisation said financial-crime and money-laundering laws had been used against human rights defenders and NGO workers, raising concerns that investigations could intimidate civil society. Saied’s government has rejected claims that prosecutions are politically motivated and has said the judiciary operates independently. A related part of this story is covered in “Two remain missing after migrant boat sinks off Tunisia”.
What happens next
The four activists are due to appear in court on September 16, while Naouar remains determined to continue his hunger strike despite his deteriorating health, according to Trifi.
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