The country’s appeal court  yesterday ruled he cannot get bail while facing charges of tax evasion and money  laundering.

At this stage a presidential hopeful should be looking to boost his parliamentary support in Sunday’s legislative elections.

Nabil Karoui, who has been in jail since August 27, can only  hope to retain the popular support he attracted in the first round of the presidential race in mid-September.

He ran second to lawyer Kais Saied in that field of 27 candidates.

Karoui’s supporters say the Tunisian government is pressing judicial authorities to keep him detained.

Senior members of his Qalf Tounes Party say what is happening is a charade.

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