Tunisian Opposition Candidate Released Amid Election Controversy

A Tunisian judge has ordered the release of presidential candidate Ayachi Zammel, arrested earlier this week on suspicion of falsifying voter forms. Zammel, a serious contender against President Kais Saied, claims facing restrictions and intimidation. Critics argue the upcoming election is biased in favor of Saied, raising concerns about democratic integrity.

A Tunisian judge has ordered the release of presidential candidate Ayachi Zammel from jail, according to lawyers. This decision comes just a month before an election that critics argue is rigged in favor of President Kais Saied.

Zammel was initially arrested on Monday over suspicion of falsifying voter forms, which are required in sets of 10,000 to qualify for the election. Denying all allegations, Zammel is one of three candidates approved to run in the October 6 election alongside Saied and politician Zouhair Maghzaoui.

Zammel has voiced that he is facing 'restrictions and intimidation' due to being a significant competitor against Saied. He promises to rejuvenate democracy, uphold freedoms, and repair the faltering economy. Saied, who was democratically elected in 2019, has been ruling by decree since 2021, a move labeled as a coup by opposition forces.

Major political groups assert that Saied's tenure has diminished the democratic progress achieved since the 2011 revolution. The electoral commission's rejection of a court ruling reinstating prominent candidates has fueled further concerns about the fairness of the elections. Law professors, human rights activists, and political parties have urged the commission to reconsider its stance.

(With inputs from agencies.)