The Tunisian regime continues committing human rights violations and arresting opponents arbitrarily.
The Court of First Instance sentenced the head of the Republican Popular Union, Lotfi Al-Mraihi, to eight months in prison and a lifetime ban from running for president on charges of offering cash to influence voters.
Lawyer Omar bin Ismail said in media statements that the ruling banns his client from running for president life and his detention for eight months with immediate effect.
The lawyer pointed out that an appeal will be filed next Monday, requiring the non-implementation of the ruling.
After announcing his candidacy for the upcoming presidential elections; Security forces arrested Lotfi Al-Mraihi on July 4, 2024, based on a search warrant issued by the Public Prosecution against him on suspicions of financial corruption.
Al-Mraihi is known for his criticism of the policies of current Tunisian President Kais Saied and his administration of government.
The ruling against Al-Mraihi reinforces the opposition’s fears that critical voices will continue to be targeted, ahead of the presidential elections expected on October 6 this year.
The opposition parties, many of whose leaders are in prison, accuse Saied’s government of exerting pressure on the judiciary to pursue Saied’s rivals in the 2024 elections to run for a second term.
The parties stated that fair and credible elections cannot be held unless imprisoned politicians are released and the media are allowed to do their work without pressure from the government.
Since last February 11, the Tunisian authorities have carried out an arrest campaign against leaders, media figures, and activists, who consider the exceptional measures imposed by President Kais Saied a coup against the 2014’s constitution and a means to secure an absolute individual rule.
