Former Minister of Social Affairs, Mohamed Trabelsi, was sentenced to six years in prison by the criminal chamber specializing in the financial corruption affairs of the Tunis court. A sentence pronounced on Monday, October 6 in a case on irregularities in the appointment of social attachés abroad.
Nominations under influence
The investigation, open for several years, has uncovered suspicions of corruption and favoritism in the procedures for the appointment of social agents within various Tunisian embassies, notably between 2017 and 2019.
The judges also condemned Abdelkader Mhedhbi, former director general of the Tunisian office abroad, to three years in prison for his role in these shortcomings.
According to legal sources, investigations have revealed abuse of function and violations of administrative rules for the benefit of personal or third parties.
In December 2023, the accusation chamber of the Tunis Court of Appeal had ordered the dismissal of the two men to criminal justice, while keeping them in freedom while waiting for their trial.
A verdict rendered in the absence of the main accused
Mohamed Trabelsi, who would currently live abroad, was not present when the judgment is pronounced. The court held the heads of abuse of power and prejudice to public administration against him, on the basis of articles 96 and 98 of the penal code.
