Tunisia: Presidential candidate Ayachi Zammel accumulates more than 30 years in prison

Abdel Sattar Al-Massoudi, a lawyer representing former presidential candidate Ayachi Zammel, has confirmed that the Kairouan Court of First Instance sentenced his client to 5 years and 4 months in prison on charges related to three cases of falsified recommendations.

Al-Massoudi disclosed that the cumulative prison sentences handed down to Zammel across multiple cases now exceed 30 years, with another verdict pending next Thursday from a court in Manouba.

In a press statement, Al-Massoudi condemned the rulings, describing them as unjust and claiming they go beyond the legal accusations of falsified recommendations. He suggested that the judicial actions against Zammel are politically motivated, aiming to target not just Zammel’s legal standing but also his personal life and freedom. Al-Massoudi argued that the legal proceedings have been tainted by what he termed as a deliberate campaign to undermine Zammel, noting that his client’s family has also been drawn into the case. Three of Zammel’s brothers were sentenced in absentia by the Kairouan court, each receiving a sentence of one year and six months.

According to Al-Massoudi, the broader implications of these rulings reflect a targeted effort to damage Zammel’s reputation and political career. He expressed concern that the focus of the legal proceedings has shifted away from the actual merits of the cases to what he believes is a concerted attempt to dismantle Zammel’s public image. The defense team remains committed to advocating for justice and hopes for a fair judgment in the upcoming court decision in Manouba.