Tunis: The jailed leader of Tunisia's Ennahda movement, Rached Ghannouchi, has ended his hunger and medication strike after five days at the request of the medical team overseeing his condition, as stated by his defense team late Monday.

According to Anadolu Agency, the defense team released a statement indicating that Ghannouchi ceased the strike, which he commenced on Thursday, following a request from the medical team supervising his health at the hospital. Despite this development, the team has renewed its call for access to Ghannouchi at the hospital, urging that he be allowed to meet with his lawyers and family. The team emphasized the need to end his 'isolation' in line with rights guaranteed under the law.

Earlier on Monday, the defense team highlighted that the 85-year-old Ennahda leader initiated the hunger and medication strike to protest the 'complete isolation' imposed on him after his transfer to a hospital on July 29. They reported that his lawyers and family had been barred from visiting or communicating with him and had not received any information about his health, despite multiple requests to the authorities.

Tunisian authorities have not provided comments on these latest statements. Ghannouchi, who previously served as the speaker of the parliament dissolved by President Kais Saied, has been imprisoned since April 17, 2023. A court ordered his detention in relation to remarks attributed to him on charges of 'incitement against state security.' Although he was later handed prison sentences in several cases, Ghannouchi dismisses the charges as politically motivated.

Tunisian authorities maintain that Ghannouchi and other defendants face prosecution on criminal charges, denying any political interference in judicial proceedings. However, critics and opposition figures argue that these cases are part of a broader campaign targeting opponents of the Tunisian president.