Tunisia's Opposition Faces Turmoil as Leading Candidate Sentenced to Prison

Tunisia's opposition faces a major setback as leading presidential candidate Abir Moussi is sentenced to two years in prison. Moussi, head of the Free Destourian Party, was found guilty of violating an anti-fake news decree. Despite her imprisonment, Moussi remains determined to run in the upcoming election.

Tunisia's political landscape faces further turmoil with the sentencing of Abir Moussi, a leading presidential candidate, to two years in prison. This development marks a significant challenge for the country's opposition movements, already struggling under President Kais Saied's administration.

Moussi, a prominent lawyer and head of the right-wing Free Destourian Party, was detained in October after critiquing the electoral process and presidential decrees, citing transparency concerns. Her conviction came following a complaint by the election authority, invoking a controversial anti-fake news decree often used to silence dissent.

Despite the imprisonment, Moussi's lawyer, Nafaa Laribi, confirmed her intention to run in the October 6th presidential election, assuring that the recent sentence does not bar her candidacy. This case is seen by many as part of a broader, politically motivated crackdown on critics of Saied's government, regardless of their political affiliation.

(With inputs from agencies.)