One of the candidates challenging Tunisian President Kais Saied in the country's presidential election next month has been sentenced to prison on fraud charges that his attorney decried as politically motivated.

Tunisia’s government jailed a leading opposition figure ahead of next month’s election. Ayachi Zammel, one of just two candidates approved to run against the authoritarian President Kais Saied, was sentenced to 20 months over alleged forgery: His campaign said the move was politically motivated.

Before Tunisian voters have their say in the presidential election on Oct. 6, state institutions have already had their say. The security services, judicial authorities, and the High Independent Electoral Authority (ISIE) have either obstructed or officially barred over a dozen potential candidates from running.

Dozens of members of Tunisia’s largest opposition party have been arrested this week ahead of the formal start this weekend of the campaign season for the country’s presidential election.

Thousands of Tunisians marched in the streets on Friday to protest against President Kais Saied, whom they accuse of trying to rig the Oct. 6 presidential election by detaining and intimidating his rivals.

A court in Tunisia has imprisoned one of only two candidates approved to run in next month’s presidential election against Kais Saied, the authoritarian leader who has stepped up repression ahead of the polls.

A Tunisian judge has sentenced presidential candidate Ayachi Zammel to 20 months in prison on charges of falsifying and buying signatures required to file his candidacy, his lawyer confirmed to The National.