Tunisian court jails prospective presidential candidates ahead of vote
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A Tunisian court sentenced potential candidates for the upcoming presidential elections to prison, increasing concerns among opposition parties and figures.
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A supporter of Tunisian President Kais Saied speaks about the current situation in their country opposite the Municipal Theatre at Habib Bourguiba Avenue in Tunis, Thursday, July 25, 2024 (AP)
A Tunisian court has sentenced several potential presidential election candidates to prison and banned them from running for office. Critics argue this aims to exclude serious competitors to President Kais Saied in the upcoming October vote.
Prominent politician Abdel Latif Mekki, activist Nizar Chaari, Judge Mourad Massoudi, and candidate Adel Dou were each sentenced to eight months in prison and banned from running on charges of vote buying, according to lawyer Mokthar Jmai. Abir Moussi, another candidate running against the president was sentenced to two years in prison for insulting the election commission.
"It is a shocking rule, it aims to keep us away from running for the race after a series of restrictions," Chaari told Reuters.
These rulings have heightened concerns among opposition parties, candidates, and human rights groups who accuse the authorities of using arbitrary restrictions and intimidation tactics to ensure Saied's re-election.
Other candidates sentenced for similar charges
Ahmed Nafatti, Mekki's campaign manager, labeled the decision "unfair and unjust," asserting it was meant to eliminate serious contenders. "The decision is unfair and unjust, and aims to exclude a serious player from the race," he said.
Moussi, who has been jailed since October, had submitted her candidacy just days before her sentence. If upheld, her sentencing would completely bar her from running due to a requirement for a clean criminal record.
Last month, another potential candidate, Lotfi Mraihi, was similarly sentenced to eight months in prison and banned from running on vote-buying charges.
On Monday, President Saied, 66, submitted his candidacy for re-election, describing his bid as part of a "war of liberation and self-determination" to establish a new republic. Elected in 2019, Saied dissolved parliament in 2021, ruling by decree since.
Despite opposition claims of judicial pressure to stifle rivals, Saied denies any restrictions on candidates. He asserted, "There are no restrictions on potential candidates for the presidential elections... the law applies to everyone equally."
Earlier, several other candidates reported facing new restrictions, including demands for police records that the interior ministry allegedly refused to provide.
