Tunisia Court Upholds 18-month Sentence for Presidential Candidate Zammel

A poster of imprisoned presidential candidate Ayachi Zammel is displayed at the entrance of his electoral headquarters on September 16, 2024, in Tunis, ahead of presidential election. (Photo by FETHI BELAID / AFP)
A poster of imprisoned presidential candidate Ayachi Zammel is displayed at the entrance of his electoral headquarters on September 16, 2024, in Tunis, ahead of presidential election. (Photo by FETHI BELAID / AFP)
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Tunisia Court Upholds 18-month Sentence for Presidential Candidate Zammel

A poster of imprisoned presidential candidate Ayachi Zammel is displayed at the entrance of his electoral headquarters on September 16, 2024, in Tunis, ahead of presidential election. (Photo by FETHI BELAID / AFP)
A poster of imprisoned presidential candidate Ayachi Zammel is displayed at the entrance of his electoral headquarters on September 16, 2024, in Tunis, ahead of presidential election. (Photo by FETHI BELAID / AFP)

A Tunisian appeal court on Thursday upheld an 18-month prison sentence handed down to presidential candidate Ayachi Zammel, his lawyer said, two days before the vote is held.

Zammel, who has been in prison for a month, is one of three candidates running for the presidency, along with current President Kais Saied and politician Zouhair Maghzaoui.

Tunisians head to the polls Sunday.

Fourteen hopefuls were barred from joining the race, after election organizers ruled they had failed to provide enough signatures of endorsement, among other technicalities.
Some have been jailed after being convicted of forging signatures.



Hamas, Two Other Palestinian Groups Say Gaza Ceasefire Deal 'Closer Than Ever'

Palestinians inspect damages in the aftermath of Israeli strikes, following a Hamas surprise attack, at Beach refugee camp, in Gaza City, October 9, 2023. (Reuters)
Palestinians inspect damages in the aftermath of Israeli strikes, following a Hamas surprise attack, at Beach refugee camp, in Gaza City, October 9, 2023. (Reuters)
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Hamas, Two Other Palestinian Groups Say Gaza Ceasefire Deal 'Closer Than Ever'

Palestinians inspect damages in the aftermath of Israeli strikes, following a Hamas surprise attack, at Beach refugee camp, in Gaza City, October 9, 2023. (Reuters)
Palestinians inspect damages in the aftermath of Israeli strikes, following a Hamas surprise attack, at Beach refugee camp, in Gaza City, October 9, 2023. (Reuters)

Hamas and two other Palestinian militant groups said on Saturday that a Gaza ceasefire deal with Israel is "closer than ever", provided Israel does not impose new conditions.

"The possibility of reaching an agreement (for a ceasefire and a prisoner exchange deal) is closer than ever, provided the enemy stops imposing new conditions," Hamas, Islamic Jihad and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine said in a rare joint statement issued after talks in Cairo on Friday.

Last week, indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States were held in Doha, rekindling hope of an agreement.

A Hamas leader told AFP on Saturday that talks had made "significant and important progress" in recent days.

"Most points related to the ceasefire and prisoner exchange issues have been agreed upon," he said on condition of anonymity as he was not authorized to speak publicly on the issue.

"Some unresolved points remain, but they do not hinder the process. The agreement could be finalized before the end of this year, provided it is not disrupted by (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu's new conditions."