Tunisian court grants appeal by rejected presidential hopeful

A Tunisian court has granted the appeal of Abdellatif Mekki, allowing him to stand in the upcoming October 6 presidential election, AFP reports. Mekki, leader of the Islamist oriented Ennahdha movement who now heads Amal w Injaz party, was initially barred from standing by the election board. The administrative court's spokesman, Faycel Bouguerra, announced the decision as definitive, in an interview with local radio. Mekki- a former health minister- joins candidates Zouhair Maghzaoui and Ayachi Zammel in challenging incumbent President Kais Saied.

Saied, who was elected in 2019 and launched a sweeping power grab in 2021 move, is seeking re-election amid a climate of increased repression. Severl of his political opponents are in prison or are being prosecuted. Human Rights Watch recently reported that at least eight prospective candidates have been prosecuted or imprisoned. The final list of presidential candidates will be announced by the High Independent Authority for Elections (ISIE) next week.