Leading Tunisian opposition figure, Jawhar Ben Mbarek, has been hospitalized with severe dehydration after a 17-day hunger strike protesting his imprisonment. His family reported a dangerous toxin affecting his kidneys, though he refused nutritional supplements upon hospital transfer before being returned to prison.

• Jawhar Ben Mbarek was sentenced to 18 years in April on charges of "conspiracy against state security" and "belonging to a terrorist group."
• He is a co-founder of the National Salvation Front, Tunisia's main opposition alliance.
• His family and lawyer filed a complaint alleging he was beaten by guards at Belli prison, leading to an investigation.