Critics say the move is aimed at targeting serious challengers to the current Tunisan president, Kais Saied.

A Tunisian court has sentenced a number of potential presidential election candidates to prison and banned them from running for office, according to local media, politicians, and a lawyer, in a move critics say is aimed at excluding serious competitors to President Kais Saied in October’s vote.

A court decision was issued on Monday against prominent politician Abdel Latif Mekki, activist Nizar Chaari, Judge Mourad Massoudi and another candidate, Adel Dou, according to lawyer Mokthar Jmai who spoke to Reuters. All four were sentenced to eight months in prison and banned from running for office on a charge of vote buying.

Another court late on Monday sentenced Abir Moussi – who is also a staunch critic of president Saied – to two years in prison, on a charge of insulting the election commission, local Mosaique radio reported.

Moussi, a key opposition figure, has been jailed since October, according to Agence France-Presse.

The ruling will reinforce the fears of opposition parties, candidates and human rights groups who have accused authorities of using arbitrary restrictions and intimidation in order to ensure the re-election of Saied in a vote set for 6 October.