Just days before Tunisia’s presidential election, presidential candidate Ayachi Zammel was handed a six-month prison sentence for falsifying documents.
This verdict comes on the heels of another prison sentence of 20 months imposed on Zammel last week for fabricating popular endorsements.
According to Tunisia’s TAP news agency, the Criminal Chamber of the Jendouba Court of First Instance found Zammel guilty of “deliberately using a fraudulent certificate.”
This ruling has sparked outrage from Zammel’s legal team, with his lawyer, Abdessattar Massoudi, condemning the ruling as “another unjust ruling and a farce that clearly aims to weaken him in the election race.”
Massoudi vowed to continue fighting for Zammel’s rights, stating, “But we will defend his right to the last minute.”
This sentiment shows concerns that the ruling is politically motivated, aimed at stifling opposition to President Kais Saied’s re-election bid.
Zammel, a relatively unknown businessman before his presidential bid, was initially arrested on September 2 for allegedly falsifying signatures required for his candidacy.
Although released on September 6, he was promptly rearrested on similar charges.
The consecutive prison sentences have heightened tensions leading up to the election, with opposition and civil society groups expressing concerns about potential electoral manipulation to maintain President Saied’s hold on power.
The president of the Tunisian opposition movement “AZIMOUN”, Ayachi Zammel, 47 old, a chemical engineer and former deputy of the National Assembly, has announced during a press conference in Tunis on July 16,2024 his candidacy for the next presidential elections, scheduled for October 6, 2024. Mohamed Hammi/Sipa Press//HAMMI_SIPA.6592/Credit:Mohamed Hammi/SIPA/2407161622
