Tunisian court jails potential presidential candidates

In a controversial move, a Tunisian court has sentenced several potential presidential candidates to prison and banned them from running in the upcoming October election, according to local media, politicians, and a lawyer.

Critics argue that this decision aims to eliminate serious competitors to President Kais Saied.

Court sentences and ban

On Monday, the Tunisian court issued a decision against prominent politician Abdel Latif Mekki, activist Nizar Chaari, Judge Mourad Massoudi, and candidate Adel Dou.

Lawyer Mokthar Jmai, speaking to Reuters, confirmed that all four were sentenced to eight months in prison and banned from running for office on charges of vote buying.

Another court sentenced Abir Moussi, a staunch critic of President Saied, to two years in prison on charges of insulting the election commission. Moussi, a key opposition figure, has been jailed since October, as reported by Agence France-Presse (AFP).

Opposition reactions

The ruling has heightened concerns among opposition parties, candidates, and human rights groups, who accuse authorities of using arbitrary restrictions and intimidation to ensure Saied’s reelection on Oct. 6.

Ahmed Nafatti, Mekki’s campaign manager, stated that they still plan to submit his candidacy papers despite the court’s decision.

“The decision is unfair and unjust, and aims to exclude a serious player from the race,” Nafatti said.

“It is a shocking rule; it aims to keep us away from running after a series of restrictions,” Chaari told Reuters.

President’s stance

President Saied submitted his official candidacy for the October election. Saied told reporters in Tunis that his candidacy is part of “a war of liberation and self-determination” aiming to “establish a new republic.”

Since his election in 2019, Saied dissolved parliament in 2021 and began ruling by decree, a move the opposition described as a coup. Opposition parties accuse his government of pressuring the judiciary to suppress rivals in the 2024 elections, paving the way for his re-election.

Saied has denied these accusations. “There are no restrictions on potential candidates for the presidential elections … this is nonsense and lies,” he said after submitting his candidacy. “Whoever talks about restrictions is delusional. I did not oppress anyone, and the law applies to everyone equally.”