Political Turmoil in Tunisia: Presidential Hopeful Jailed Ahead of Election

  A Tunisian court sent presidential hopeful Ayachi Zammel to jail for six months on charges of forging documents, marking his second prison term in a week. The decision, right before the presidential election, shows growing tension leading up to the vote, with concerns of a fixed election to keep President Kais Saied in power.

 Zammel received a previous 20-month prison sentence for forging popular endorsements. The current ruling is seen as unfair by Zammel's lawyer, who vows to fight for his rights. Zammel was one of three candidates in the presidential race, along with Saied and Zouhair Magzhaoui.

 The political atmosphere has intensified in Tunisia following the disqualification of three leading candidates by an electoral team appointed by Saied, leading to protests by the opposition and civil society groups.