The release of Abdelaziz Makhloufi, former president of the Sfaxien Sports Club, against bail set at 50 million dinars, sets an unprecedented record in Tunisian judicial history.
Never before has a litigant been released after having deposited such a sum in the Public Treasury.
An emblematic affair
Prosecuted in the context of the so-called case Henchir Chaâl — relating to suspicions of administrative and financial corruption involving executives of the Ministry of Agriculture — Abdelaziz Makhloufi was placed in detention in 2024.
This Wednesday, November 5, 2025, the first investigating judge of the economic and financial judicial center granted his request for provisional release, conditional on full payment of the bail of 50 million DT.
Precedents well below
Until now, the highest amount known for an effective release on bail concerned Abderrahim Zouari, former minister and businessman, released in 2023 for 18 million DT in a case linked to the Office of Merchant Marine and Ports.
Before him:
- Nabil Karoui, president of Nessma TV, was released in 2021 after posting a bond of 10 million DT in a case of money laundering and tax evasion;
- Slim Chiboub, ex-son-in-law of Ben Ali, had benefited from a provisional release for 5 million DT in the case of Gammarth Marinabefore being subsequently overtaken by other convictions;
- Sami Fehri, producer and founder of Cactus Prodwas released in 2021 after paying a bail of 4 million DT, then sentenced to two years in prison;
- Noureddine Boutar, general director of Mosaic FMhad also obtained his release in 2023 for 1 million DT, while remaining under judicial supervision and a travel ban.
The Charfeddine case, apart
Certainly, Ridha Charfeddine was given a record bail of 150 million DT, but he never regained his freedom, remaining detained in another case of alleged corruption.
As a result, Makhloufi is today the only one to have been effectively released after paying such a colossal amount, which makes him the new “record holder” for Tunisian judicial bonds.
In recent years, release on bail has become a recurring mechanism in sensitive economic cases. It aims to guarantee the presence of the accused while avoiding prolonged detention, but also sparks a public debate on equality before justice and the symbolism of the amounts imposed.
Also read:
Release of Abdelaziz Makhloufi against bail of 50 million dinars
Agreement for the release of Abderrahim Zouari against a bail of 18 MD
