Tunisia: Presidential candidate Ayachi Zammel provisionally released and re-arrested

Presidential candidate Ayachi Zammel was released on Thursday September 5 by the Correctional Chamber of the Manouba Court of First Instance, after his defense team requested a postponement of the case until September 19 to prepare their defense.

However, shortly after his release, Tunisian police re-arrested him late Thursday, just minutes following the judge’s order, according to his lawyers.

Zammel, one of three presidential candidates, had been detained on September 4, 2024, following a committal order from the Public Prosecutor’s Office. He is accused of falsifying the sponsorships needed for his candidacy, allegedly with the help of a campaign team member, who has also been released pending trial.

The next hearing on September 19 will determine if the allegations of sponsorship falsification are confirmed.