Tunisian Candidate Zammel Arrested Amid Election Dispute

Tunisian presidential candidate Ayachi Zammel was arrested on suspicion of falsifying endorsement signatures required for his candidacy in the upcoming October 6 election. The arrest has intensified accusations against President Kais Saied of attempting to block political rivals, as Saied seeks a second term following his 2021 power grab. The electoral commission's decision to exclude several candidates, despite a court ruling reinstating them, has raised concerns about the election's fairness. Human Rights Watch has condemned the actions, claiming at least eight prospective candidates have faced prosecution. The final list of candidates is awaited amid fears of political manipulation.