Tunisian Court Sentences 11 People for Fraudulent Business‑License Scheme
The criminal chamber of the Tunis First‑Instance Court handed down prison sentences on Monday to eleven individuals, ranging from two to thirteen years, for a scheme that involved the illegal acquisition of Category‑4 entrepreneur licences from the Ministry of Equipment through forged documents and bribes.
Key Convictions
| Defendant | Role | Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Business Services CEO | Head of a service company | 13 years of imprisonment |
| Civil Protection Officer | Senior civil‑protection official | 6 years |
| Former Ministry of Equipment Official | Ex‑director at the ministry | 11 years |
| Eight other accused | Various participants | 2, 9, or 11 years each |
Charges
The defendants were found guilty of:
- Criminal conspiracy
- Participation in an association of criminals aimed at harming property and persons
- Fraud and swindling
- Document falsification
- Corruption of a public official
Investigation Findings
During the investigation, several entrepreneurs admitted to paying bribes of 6,000 to 12,000 Tunisian dinars to the implicated officials in order to obtain the coveted Category‑4 entrepreneur licences issued by the Ministry of Equipment.
Keywords: Tunisian court, fraud, business licences, Ministry of Equipment, bribery, corruption, criminal conspiracy, prison sentences, Tunisia news
