Tunisian Flotilla Activist Hospitalized in Critical Condition After Hunger Strike

Tunisian Gaza flotilla activist Wael Naouar has been hospitalized in critical condition after more than a month on hunger strike protesting his pretrial detention. Human rights officials and the Global Sumud Flotilla say he has suffered severe weight loss and serious physical deterioration, while the organization alleges that authorities have withheld information from his family and lawyers. Naouar and three other flotilla organizers were arrested in March over alleged money laundering, misuse of donated funds and suspicious financial activity; they deny the accusations, and no trial date has been set. Tunisian authorities deny that the case is politically motivated, while the activists’ lawyers and supporters say the charges are intended to punish their pro-Palestinian activism. Protests demanding their release have taken place in Tunis, with more than a dozen demonstrators reportedly arrested.