Jail time mounts up for former Tunisian presidential candidate

 Ayachi Zammel, a former Tunisian presidential candidate, has been sentenced to more time in prison, with a cumulative total of more than 20 years, his lawyer said according to AFP. Zammel, one of two challengers in the October 6 election against President Kais Saied, was arrested in early September, the same day his candidacy was approved. He faces multiple charges related to using false endorsements and fraudulent signatures to qualify for the race.

A court in Siliana sentenced him in four separate cases Friday, with each verdict adding one year and eight months to his sentence. These sentences, combined with earlier convictions, bring his total prison time to 20 years and 10 months. Zammel was first sentenced in early October to 12 years in prison for ballot endorsement fraud, shortly after his arrest. He still faces 37 additional cases. based on similar accusations. The European Union has expressed concern over Tunisia's shrinking democratic space, following Zammel's arrest and other electoral controversies.