Tunisia polls: Jailed candidate to take part in debate

By Adil Essabiti

TUNIS (AA) - Tunisian authorities are willing to allow jailed presidential candidate Nabil Karoui to participate in a televised debate with his rival Kais Saied, an official said Wednesday.

Saad al-Dahish, director general of state-owned Tunisian Television, said judicial authorities have been contacted to allow Karoui to participate in the debate.

The debate could be conducted from within the prison premises, he added.

Karoui was arrested in August on charges of money laundering and tax evasion.

Earlier, a court ordered Karoui and his brother’s assets to be frozen and imposed a travel ban.

Tunisians are expected to vote in a second round of presidential elections in November after no clear winner emerged in polls held on Sept. 15.

According to official results, Saied secured 18.4% of the vote while Karoui came in second at 15.6%.

*Bassel Barakat contributed to this report from Ankara