Jailed tycoon among Tunisia's 26 presidential candidates

TUNIS, Sept 01 (AP): A jailed media magnate is among the 26 candidates authorized Saturday to run in Tunisia's presidential election next month, a crucial test for the North African country's fragile young democracy.

The Tunisian election authority announced the list of candidates who qualified for the Sept. 15 first round of voting. The top vote-getters advance to a second round two weeks later.

Businessman Nabil Karoui was allowed to maintain his candidacy while in custody on accusations of money laundering and tax evasion. Karoui and another candidate accused of money laundering can run for president as long as they haven't been convicted, the electoral authority said.