Tunisian Candidate Ayachi Zammel Sentenced to 12 Years

Ayachi Zammel, a presidential candidate in Tunisia's upcoming election, has been sentenced to 12 years in prison on multiple counts of forgery related to voter endorsements, just five days before the election on October 6, 2024. His lawyer confirmed that Zammel, who heads the Azimoun party, remains eligible to contest in the election despite his legal troubles. This marks the third prison sentence for Zammel in a short span, raising concerns about the political motivations behind the timing of the verdict. Incumbent President Kais Saied is expected to win easily, having previously consolidated power by dissolving the parliament and limiting its authority. Zammel was one of only three candidates approved to run, amid a backdrop of broader disqualification of other hopefuls. His legal team argues that the ruling is politically motivated, aimed at undermining his candidacy against Saied.