Tunisian Presidential Hopeful Lotfi Mraihi Sentenced to 8 Months, Banned for Life

A Tunisian court sentenced Lotfi Mraihi, a presidential candidate, to eight months in prison and banned him from elections for life, accusing him of vote-buying during the 2019 election. Mraihi, who leads the opposition Republican People's Union, plans to appeal, aiming to remain a candidate against President Kais Saied.

On Friday, a Tunisian court sentenced Lotfi Mraihi, a presidential candidate and leader of the Republican People's Union, to eight months in prison. The court also banned him from contesting elections for life, citing vote-buying during the 2019 election.

Mraihi's legal challenges include money laundering charges and accusations under an anti-fake news statute, which he denies. His lawyer, Omar Ben Ismael, stated plans to appeal the verdict, potentially allowing Mraihi to challenge President Kais Saied in the upcoming October election.

Tunisia's election authority confirmed that Mraihi's representative has begun the bureaucratic process necessary for his candidacy. Critics of Saied's government see this move as part of a broader strategy to suppress opposition ahead of the vote.

(With inputs from agencies.)