Gay presidential candidate in Tunisia appeals exclusion

Cofounder of 'Shams' says ruling was vague and without reason.

Mounir Baatour, a 48-year-old openly gay attorney who was running for president in Tunisia but was recently excluded from the race after a decision by the country’s electoral commission, on Monday announced he has filed an appeal against the decision.

Baatour is the cofounder of Association Shams, which works for the decriminalisation of homosexuality in Tunisia.

Local media said the electoral committee excluded Baatour from the September 15 presidential ballot because he didn’t respect administrative formalities.