Saturday, September 28, 2024 – A Tunisian court sentenced presidential candidate Ayachi Zammel to six months in prison on Wednesday, September 25, on charges of falsifying documents, making this the second prison sentence against him in a week.
The sentencing, which comes just days before the
presidential election, highlights rising tensions ahead of the election, amid
opposition and civil society groups' fears of a rigged election aimed at
keeping President Kais Saied in power.
Zammel was sentenced to 20 months in prison last week on
charges of falsifying popular endorsements.
"It is another unjust ruling and a farce that clearly
aims to weaken him in the election race, but we will defend his right to the
last minute," Zammel attorney Abdessattar Massoudi told Reuters.
Zammel was among only three admitted candidates competing
for the position of president alongside incumbent Saied and Zouhair Magzhaoui.
Political tensions in the North African country have risen
ahead of the October 6 election since an electoral commission named by Saied
disqualified three prominent candidates this month amid protests by opposition
and civil society groups.
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