On Wednesday, September 25, a Tunisian court found presidential contender Ayachi Zammel guilty of falsifying documents and sentenced him to six months in prison. This is the second jail term he has received in a week.
Days before the presidential election, the sentencing underscores the growing tensions between opposition and civil society organisations about the possibility of an election rigged to maintain President Kais Saied’s hold on power.
Zammel was found guilty of fabricating celebrity endorsements and received a 20-month prison sentence last week.
“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.
