Tunisian Court Sentences Four Presidential Candidates Over Vote Buying

A Tunisian court has sentenced four potential presidential candidates to eight months in prison and disqualified them from running in the upcoming election, citing vote-buying charges.

Critics argue the move aims to eliminate strong competitors to President Kais Saied’s re-election bid.

The ruling affects; Abdel Latif Mekki, a prominent politician, Nizar Chaari, an activist, Mourad Massoudi, a judge; and Adel Dou, another candidate.

Opposition parties, candidates, and human rights groups condemn this decision, seeing it as an attempt to restrict legitimate candidates and ensure Saied’s victory in the October 6 election.

Ahmed Nafatti, Mekki’s campaign manager, called the ruling unfair and an attempt to exclude serious contenders.

Nizar Chaari criticized the verdict, labeling it a shocking attempt to prevent them from running after facing numerous restrictions.

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Separately, Abir Moussi, a prominent Saied opponent, received a two-year prison sentence for insulting the election commission.

Last month, Lotfi Mraihi, another potential candidate, faced similar charges, receiving an eight-month sentence and disqualification.

President Saied, elected in 2019, dissolved parliament in 2021 and began ruling by decree, sparking accusations of a coup.

Opposition parties, with many leaders imprisoned, claimed Saied’s government pressures the judiciary to target rivals, ensuring a second term.

But Saied denied these accusations, insisting there are no restrictions on candidates.