Tunisian Court Delays Verdict in High-Profile Corruption Case
The specialized criminal chamber for financial corruption cases at the Tunis Court of First Instance has decided to postpone the verdict in the case against businessman Marouane Mabrouk, former CEO of Al-Karama Holding, and former ministers, including Youssef Chahed and Mabrouk Korchid. The decision was made after a hearing dedicated to examining requests for release and setting a new trial date.
Requests for Release
Lawyers for the detained defendants submitted requests for their clients' release. The prosecutor's representative, on the other hand, requested that the court set a financial guarantee of 1 billion dinars (approximately $350 million USD) in exchange for Mabrouk's release.
The Trial
Marouane Mabrouk appeared in court on Monday, accompanied by Adel Garrar, former CEO of Al-Karama Holding, and a third defendant. All three are currently in custody. The case revolves around the Tunisian authorities' decision to lift the freeze on Mabrouk's assets in the European Union in 2017.
List of Defendants
The list of defendants also includes Samir Bettaieb and Riadh Mouakher, who are currently free, as well as Youssef Chahed and Mabrouk Korchid, who are currently fugitives. The court is expected to announce its decision on the release requests and the date of the next hearing today.
Next Steps
The postponement of the verdict is a significant development in this high-profile corruption case, which has garnered significant attention in Tunisia and beyond. The court's decision will be closely watched, and the outcome is likely to have significant implications for the defendants and the country's ongoing efforts to combat corruption.
