Just days before Tunisia’s highly anticipated presidential election, candidate Ayachi Zammel has been dealt a severe blow, sentenced to prison on charges of falsifying documents.
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.
