Jail term for Tunisian presidential candidate upheld ahead of election

A court in Tunisia has upheld a prison term that was previously imposed on a candidate for president, just days before the country's Sunday elections.

Ayachi Zammel, an imprisoned presidential candidate, was given a 20-month imprisonment sentence by the Jendouba appeals court in western Tunisia, according to his attorney.

According to Zammel's attorney, the decision is appealable and won't have an impact on his candidature.

The conviction was handed out last month by a lower court on allegations of fabricating election endorsements against Zammel, a businessman and leader of the liberal Azimoun party.
The leftist nationalist People's Movement's Zammel and Zouhair Maghzaoui will face off against incumbent President Kais Saied in the polls on October 6.

Observers claim that Saied, who is running for a second term in office, has rejected serious opponents.

Three more presidential candidates who prevailed in court challenges to run for office have lately been denied entry by the election commission.

The panel has refuted claims made by critics that it lacked independence and paved the path for Saied to win.

Human Rights Watch stated last month that the vote will occur "against a backdrop of increased repression of dissent, muzzling of the media, and continued attacks on judicial independence."

Saied has solidified his hold on power since 2021 by calling early elections and dismissing the parliament—actions that the opposition referred to as a "coup."