A Tunisian court has sentenced presidential candidate Ayachi Zammel to six months in prison on charges of document forgery.
This marks Zammel’s second prison sentence within a week, coming just days before Tunisia’s presidential election, scheduled for October 6, 2024.
The verdict underscores growing tensions in the lead-up to the election, as opposition parties and civil society groups express concerns about potential election rigging to maintain President Kais Saied’s hold on power.
Last week, Zammel received a 20-month prison sentence for allegedly 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,” Abdessattar Massoudi told Reuters on Wednesday, September 25.
Zammel was one of just three approved candidates running for the presidency, alongside incumbent Saied and Zouhair Magzhaoui.
Political tensions in the North African country have intensified ahead of the October 6 election, following the disqualification of three prominent candidates by an electoral commission appointed by Saied.
The decision has sparked protests from opposition parties and civil society groups.
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