Ghazi Mrabet: Mourad Zghidi's Case is Not About Money Laundering, But Rather a Lack of Mandatory Tax Declarations
Ghazi Mrabet, a member of the defense committee for journalist Mourad Zghidi, stated on Wednesday that "his client's case is in no way related to money laundering, but rather a lack of mandatory tax declarations." This, he explained, is due to the Covid-19 pandemic, which has affected many small and medium-sized enterprises. During a press conference organized by the National Syndicate of Tunisian Journalists (SNJT) at its headquarters in Tunis, Mrabet stated that his client had created two companies, one in 2015 and one in 2019. These companies were subject to a review by the Tunisian Financial Analysis Commission, an independent body administratively attached to the Central Bank of Tunisia. No suspicion of money laundering was found, the lawyer affirmed. For his part, Zied Dabbar, president of the SNJT, stated that the facts leave no doubt about any potential money laundering, adding that the judicial proceedings against Zghidi are related to his positions in the media. It is inconceivable to prosecute journalists for their opinions or publications, he said, estimating that Decree-Law No. 54 of September 13, 2022, related to the fight against offenses related to information and communication systems, has undermined freedoms in Tunisia. "It is therefore imperative to revise it as soon as possible," he emphasized. Journalist Mourad Zghidi was arrested on May 11, 2024. The criminal chamber of the Court of First Instance in Tunis had sentenced him on January 22 to three years and six months in prison for "money laundering and tax offenses related to tax evasion," according to a judicial source quoted by the TAP agency. The chamber also sentenced Zghidi to financial fines, the confiscation of funds belonging to him, and the confiscation of his social shares in the two companies for the benefit of the public treasury.
Also read: Tunisia: Draft Law to Prohibit Nationality for Children of Irregular Migrants
