Ayachi Zammel, a presidential contender in Tunisia, was sentenced to six months in prison for using “fraudulent certificates” only days before the country’s election.
According to a story published by Tunisia’s TAP news agency on Wednesday, Mr. Zammel was sentenced to six months in prison by the Criminal Chamber of the Jendouba Court of First Instance for “deliberately using a fraudulent certificate.”
In order to challenge last week’s race, Mr. Zammel falsified popular endorsement documents, earning him a 20-month prison sentence.
But Mr. Zammel’s attorney, Abdessattar Massoudi, disregarded the punishment, calling it a ploy to undermine his chances in the upcoming election.
“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,” Mr Massoudi told Reuters.
On September 2, Mr. Zammel was taken into custody due to accusations that he had forged signatures obtained in order to run for president. Four days later, he was freed, but was detained again on the same charges.
This occurs as Tunisia gets ready for the October 6 presidential election.
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