Rising Tuberculosis Wave in Roumieh Prison as Hunger Strike Enters 12th Day

More than 400 inmates at Roumieh Central Prison are continuing their 12th consecutive day of hunger strike, protesting the Constitutional Council's suspension of the general amnesty law following a challenge filed by members of the "Free Patriotic Movement".

In the latest health developments, a prison spokesperson reported that the health condition of hunger strikers is continuously worsening, noting an increase in critical cases to 32, including elderly individuals and those suffering from chronic illnesses.

He added that several inmates have been transferred to hospitals in emergency situations, with the most recent being detainee (M. S.), who was rushed to hospital this morning.

Meanwhile, the Lebanese Observatory for Prisoners' Rights revealed new cases of tuberculosis within Roumieh Prison buildings, stating that inmate (J. A.) had been hospitalized after contracting the infection.

The observatory confirmed that prison authorities today isolated at least five inmates and placed them in quarantine due to suspected infection.

In response, the "Committee of Families of Detainees in Lebanon" renewed its appeal to the Constitutional Council to expedite its ruling on the challenge and reinstate the general amnesty law, amid the dire humanitarian and health conditions faced by detainees in Roumieh and other Lebanese prisons.