Tunisian opposition leader Rached Ghannouchi begins hunger strike

Jailed Tunisian opposition leader Rached Ghannouchi has begun a hunger strike, joining other prominent detained politicians in protesting their imprisonment. The 84-year-old leader of the Ennahda party is protesting in support of fellow hunger striker Jawhar Ben Mbarek and to "defend freedoms in the country." Much of Tunisia's opposition is now imprisoned, with critics accusing President Kais Saied of using the judiciary to eliminate political rivals and entrench his rule. Ghannouchi has been sentenced to a total of 37 years in prison on charges that rights groups describe as politically motivated.