Tunisian Presidential Candidate, Zammel, Bags Hefty 12yr Jail Term Ahead of Polls

Ayachi-Zammel-Sentenced-Amid-Talks-of-Election-Rigging

Tunisian Presidential Candidate, Ayachi Zammel, has been handed a hefty 12year jail sentence by a Tunis court.

Zammel’s lawyer, Abdessattar Massoudi, confirmed this to newsmen on Tuesday

According to him, Zammel was indicted for document falsification.

“Ayachi Zammel was sentenced to 12 years in prison by a Tunis court on charges of document falsification,” he confirmed.

Oppsition to Tunisia’s President, Kais Saied, claim that the President is using the judiciary as a weapon against his opponents.

Already, three major opponents have been disqualified from contesting againts him.

Zammel’s sentencing comes five days before the presidential election.

These moves have raised question marks over the independence of country’s judiciary, as well as the transparency of Tunisia’s electoral process, with Massoudi labelling the sentencing, “unfair and a farce.”

Besides the verdict, Zammel also faces over 20 charges across Tunisian courts.

“It is another unjust ruling and a farce that clearly aims to weaken him in the election race, but we will defend his right to the last minute,” Abdessattar Massoudi said.

Opposition members and election observers are already predicting the October 6, 2024 elections to be heavily rigged by the ruling party.