The criminal chamber specializing in financial corruption cases at the Tunis Court of Appeal sentenced businessman Maher Chaâbane to two years in prison on Thursday October 16. This verdict comes in the context of a case investigated by the Financial Judicial Unit, relating to the accumulation of earnings abroad without prior authorization from the Central Bank of Tunisia (BCT).
The businessman, active in the real estate and public works sectors, is already involved in several legal proceedings for money laundering, corruption and non-repatriation of currencies. Some of these cases have already led to prison sentences and financial fines.
Multiple deposit warrants
On September 2, 2025, a new committal warrant was issued against him by the first investigating judge of the economic and financial judicial unit. Chaâbane was then charged in a new case of money laundering and corruption, notably involving public bank loans estimated at nearly 240 million dinars granted under conditions deemed irregular.
The charges include money laundering in criminal conspiracy, active and passive corruption, granting and receiving undue advantages and abusive exploitation of professional and statutory facilities.
Maher Chaâbane had already been sentenced in December 2023 to two years in prison by the 6th criminal chamber of the Tunis Court of First Instance for non-repatriation of export earnings. In detention for almost two years, he now sees his criminal record increased by a new sentence, while other cases still remain under investigation.
Read also
