With just weeks to go before the election, the campaign has been shaken by Zammel’s detention amid allegations of falsifying his nomination papers. Judicial sources indicate that multiple complaints have been lodged by citizens claiming their personal information was used without consent to support Zammel’s candidacy.
The investigation commenced on August 16, following a ruling by the Tunis 2 Court of First Instance that authorized officers from the Sidi Hassine Sijoumi Judicial Police Brigade to probe allegations of fraud related to his sponsorship. The core issue revolves around individuals who reported being surprised to discover their names on the list of those who had endorsed Zammel while asserting they had supported other candidates.
A spokesperson for the La Manouba Court of First Instance stated that, at the time of Zammel’s arrest, prosecutors had not made a conclusive determination regarding his situation. Consequently, Zammel remains under investigation based on citizen complaints as well as witness testimony, including contributions from his brother prior to his arrest.
This incident intensifies the political tensions in an already polarized environment, marked by divisions among various parties and candidates vying for leadership after a decade of political transitions.
Zammel, who has built his political career on promises of democratic and economic reform, now faces serious allegations that could damage his reputation. The impact of this arrest on the upcoming elections and its effect on Tunisian voters, already navigating a challenging political landscape, remains to be seen.
MN/te/lb/abj/APA