A Tunisian court sentenced presidential candidate Ayachi Zammel to six months in prison on Wednesday, September 25, for forging documents, marking his second conviction in a week.
The ruling, delivered only days ahead of the presidential election, has intensified concerns about the fairness of the process, with opposition and civil society groups fearing it may be rigged to keep President Kais Saied in power.
Zammel had already been sentenced to 20 months in prison the previous week for falsifying public endorsements.
“It is yet another unjust verdict and a clear attempt to undermine his chances in the election, but we will fight for his rights until the very end,” said Zammel’s lawyer Abdessattar Massoudi, speaking to Reuters.
Zammel is one of only three approved candidates running for president, alongside incumbent President Saied and Zouhair Magzhaoui.
Political tensions have surged in Tunisia ahead of the October 6 election, particularly after Saied’s electoral commission disqualified three prominent candidates this month, sparking protests from opposition parties and civil society groups.
