Since yesterday, a post published by Azzam Soualmia on Facebook arouses a keen momentum of solidarity in Tunisia. In a long testimony, this young entrepreneur retraces six years of Calvary, between gel of bank accounts, unfounded suspicions and foolproof resilience. Here is a summary:
It all starts in 2016. By trying a simple withdrawal, Azzam discovers that all of his accounts are frozen by decision of the Central Bank’s financial analysis committee, due to suspicions related to some of his transactions. Led to the financial judicial center, he learns that an investigation is open. The investigating judge, whom he describes as respectful and patriotic, explains to him that each money movement must be justified.
Six years of investigation ensue. Without access to the banking system, forbidden to found or manage a business, Azzam sees all its projects collapse. He sells everything, until his gas cylinder, and ends up becoming an improvised driver in front of a clinic, living with a few dinars per race.
With the remaining 15,000 dinars for the sale of his car-and thanks to two friends who agree to assume legal responsibility-in 2016 he launched the start-up swiver, who will reach a value of seven million dinars in 2022. Prohibited management, he does not sign any official document, but remains the discreet engine of the project, determined to make the test a success.
In 2022, the survey was classified without follow -up. No charge is retained. Azzam finds his rights and legally becomes the leader of his business. All banking establishments unlock its accounts, with the exception of one: the “green” Islamic bank, which still requires a non-appeal certificate.
Today, he is just waiting for a call from an official of this bank to turn the page. “I am not looking for conflict or revenge,” he concludes, thanking all those who believed in him, in particular the customers of Swiver-now a symbol of his revenge on injustice.
