Tunisia's public prosecutor ordered detention of Zammel ahead of trial

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Reuters
4 Sep 2024 16:48

One of three presidential candidates running for the election in October in Tunisia is awaiting trial for falsifying campaign details.

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Tunisian presidential candidate and detainee, Ayachi Zammel. (Ayachi Zammel's Facebook account)

The Tunisian public prosecutor ordered the detention of presidential candidate Ayachi Zammel pending a trial, Reuters reported on Wednesday.

Tunisian police detained Zammel on allegations of falsifying campaign details for the upcoming election, his team confirmed on Monday.

He is one of three approved candidates for the October 6 election this year, was taken into custody at a police station outside Tunis, campaigner Mahdi Abdeljaouad told Mosaique FM radio.

Zammel's candidacy was approved by Tunisia's electoral commission on Monday, along with the candidacies of President Kais Saied and Zouhair Magzhaoui.

Abdeljaouad indicated that Zammel is accused of "falsifying" the endorsement signatures mandated by Tunisian law to demonstrate sufficient support for his candidacy.

"The matter has become absurd and aims to exclude [Zammel] him from the election," Abdeljaouad also told Reuters.

Last month, the treasurer of Zammel's Azimoun party was also arrested and is scheduled for trial on September 13. To qualify for the ballot, candidates must submit a list of endorsements from either 10,000 registered voters, 10 parliamentarians, or 40 local officials.

Several prospective candidates have faced accusations of forging these signatures.

Saied's opponents face imprisonment

Incumbent President Kais Saied, who was elected in 2019 and later consolidated power in 2021, is seeking a second term. Many of his political opponents are currently imprisoned or facing prosecution.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) recently reported that Tunisian authorities "have prosecuted, convicted or imprisoned at least eight prospective candidates" for the October election.

Tunisia was "gearing up for a presidential election amid increased repression of dissent and free speech, without crucial checks and balances on President Saied's power," HRW indicated.

In addition to the three candidates already approved, three others have successfully appealed their disqualification and are now eligible to run.

Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Tunisia reported that the High Independent Authority for Elections (ISIE) has decided not to implement the Administrative Court's rulings, rejecting the reinstatement of three candidates into the presidential race.

The electoral campaign will start on September 14, the Commission said.

Rights groups and politicians argue that the ISIE is no longer independent and is instead focused on securing an easy victory for Saied. The commission, however, denies these allegations, asserting its neutrality.

Tunisian constitutional law experts have emphasized that the election commission must adhere to the Tunisian Administrative Court's ruling as it stands, warning that failure to do so could severely undermine the credibility of the elections.