Jailed Tunisia magnate optimistic about winning presidency

22/9/2019 19:00

        Jailed Tunisian media magnate Nabil Karoui said he's "reasonably optimistic" about winning Tunisia's presidential runoff, where he is facing independent law professor Kais Saied.
        
        They beat out two dozen other candidates in the first-round of voting on Sept. 15. No date has been set yet for the presidential runoff in the North African nation but Tunisia's electoral body says it will take place by Oct. 13.
        
        The 56-year-old Karoui, co-owner of private TV station Nessma TV, was jailed Aug. 23 pending an investigation into alleged money laundering and tax evasion charges. He has said he's the victim of a smear campaign. He was allowed to remain in the race because he has not been convicted but he said he felt being in jail cost him many votes.