Ahmed Harbaoui was detained at Mornaguia Civil Prison on 31 January 2024, and at that time he showed no signs of illness. During the first family visit on 16 February 2024, his health appeared normal. However, his condition quickly deteriorated, with symptoms including fatigue, dehydration, blood pressure disorders, and significant weight loss. During the visit of 23 February 2024, he told his mother that he had not been examined by a doctor inside the prison.

On 1 March 2024, his mother was informed that he had been transferred to Mahmoud El Matri Hospital in Ariana following a health problem the previous night. She later discovered that he had actually been transferred on the night of 23 February, contradicting the information provided by the prison administration.

At the hospital, she found him in critical condition, shackled, unable to move or speak, and suffering from swelling in his legs. The family was told he had a bacterial infection in his lungs, without a clear explanation of its origin. Despite the seriousness of his condition, he was returned to prison without confirmation of recovery or adequate treatment and in degrading conditions.

Ahmed Harbaoui died on the night of 15 March 2024. His family had visited him earlier that day and observed a severe deterioration in his health. The following day, 16 March, the family was informed of his death after being directed between two security centers. Authorities stated that the death occurred in hospital, while the family maintains that it occurred inside the prison.

According to another detainee, Harbaoui’s condition worsened severely on the night of his death, and prisoners called for help, but officers allegedly refused to take him out until after he died.

An autopsy was conducted and a medical report issued, but the family’s lawyer has not been given access to the forensic report despite the opening of a judicial investigation for a “suspicious death.” The family also reported irregularities regarding medication attributed to him and the failure to return his belongings and unused money.