Controversy Over Re-Arrest of Tunisian Presidential Candidate

Tunisian police re-arrested Ayachi Zammel, a presidential candidate, shortly after his release. Zammel, suspected of falsifying voter forms, denies the allegations. Critics argue that the election is biased in favor of President Saied. Zammel pledged to rebuild democracy and improve Tunisia's economy amid concerns over election legitimacy.

Tunisian police late on Thursday re-arrested presidential candidate Ayachi Zammel, just minutes after he was released from jail on a judge's order, according to his lawyers.

Ayachi Zammel is one of three candidates approved to run in the October 6 presidential election, an event that opposition critics claim is rigged to benefit President Kais Saied. Zammel had been detained on Monday under allegations of falsifying voter forms—an accusation he vehemently denies.

"He was kidnapped by members of the National Guard to an unknown location," alleged Zammel campaign member Mahdi Abdel Jawad to Reuters. His lawyers, Abdessatar Massoudi and Dalila Ben Mbarek, confirmed that he was taken immediately after his release from Borj El Amri prison.

Fellow candidates Saied and Zouhair Maghzaoui join Zammel in the race. Zammel has asserted he faces "restrictions and intimidation" due to his credible challenge to Saied and has vowed to restore democracy, ensure freedoms, and address Tunisia's failing economy.

Saied's tenure, beginning with his democratic election in 2019 and subsequent consolidation of power by decree in 2021, has been labeled a coup by opposition groups. Major political factions argue that his leadership has deteriorated the democratic advancements made from Tunisia's 2011 revolution.

Opposition parties and human rights groups accuse authorities of arbitrary constraints designed to secure Saied's re-election. On Monday, the electoral commission dismissed an administrative court decision to reinstate three prominent presidential candidates, intensifying opposition concerns that the commission aims to favor the incumbent president.

Law professors, rights groups, and political parties have voiced that such decisions threaten the elections' legitimacy and credibility, urging the commission to reverse its stance.

(With inputs from agencies.)