On Friday, a Tunisian judge prohibited a potential presidential candidate from engaging with the media or traveling within the country.
This move is seen as part of a broader effort to hinder opposition to President Kais Saied, according to the affected parties.
The actions have been criticised by Abd Ellatif Mekki’s party, which claims they are aimed at sidelining a legitimate contender in the upcoming elections on October 6.
Critics of the government assert that Saied’s administration is pressuring the judiciary to pursue the president’s adversaries, facilitating his bid for another term.
They argue that imprisoned politicians should be freed and that the media must be permitted to operate independently without government interference.
Supporters of Saied reject claims that opposition politicians are being targeted for political motives.
They contend that seeking election does not exempt individuals from facing prosecution for offenses like financial misconduct and fraud.
Two political figures, Abir Moussi and Ghazi Chaouachi, have been incarcerated since last year.
Recently, police apprehended another candidate, Lotfi Mraihi, on allegations of financial misconduct.
In a video, he stated that he has experienced restrictions and harassment since declaring his intention to run.
Several potential candidates, including Safi Saeed, Mondher Znaidi, and Nizar Chaari, are under legal scrutiny for alleged crimes such as fraud and financial misconduct.
Additional potential candidates, such as Safi Saeed, Mondher Znaidi, and Nizar Chaari, are facing legal action for purported offenses including fraud and financial wrongdoing.
In a recent development, Mekki’s lawyer, Monia Bouali, revealed that a judge has enforced a travel ban on Mekki, restricted his media interactions, and ordered him to remain in the Wardia district of the capital where he lives.
Unavailable for immediate comment, court officials did not address the ruling.
“Mekki is clearly being singled out to hinder his attempts to collect signatures from citizens and engage with them,” remarked Ahmed Naffati, a key figure in Mekki’s party, to Reuters.
Shortly after Mekki declared his candidacy earlier this month, a court spokesperson indicated that he was under suspicion for involvement in the murder of a businessman who passed away in prison years prior.
He denied any involvement in the case, stating that the timing of the charges following his announcement to run indicated that he was being specifically targeted.
Having been elected president in 2019, Saied has not officially confirmed his intention to run again but is expected to announce it soon.
Saied initiated rule by decree in 2021 after dissolving parliament, an action that the opposition condemned as a coup.
He justified these measures as both legal and necessary to tackle years of pervasive corruption.
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