Ex-Tunisian PM Fakhfakh indicted for illicit enrichment

A court in Tunisia has indicted former Prime Minister Elyes Fakhfakh for illicit enrichment during his tenure in power from February to September 2020 after which he was forced to step down over accusation of conflict of interest.

According to the communication office of Tunis court of first instance, the former Premier who has been under investigation, was charged for illicit enrichment and the submission of a false declaration and non-assignment of other persons to generate the earnings within the legal deadlines.

Fakhfakh, appointed Prime Minister by incumbent President Kais Saied in February 2020, was forced to resign after it appeared he was still owner of a company after his designation as Prime Minister.

After he stepped down, the court opened in October 2020 an investigation against him over three alleged accusations related to conflict of interest.

The first accusation alleged that he deliberately submitted a false declaration to conceal the reality of his earnings and those of his spouse, and not to designate other persons to manage his shares.

The court on Monday confirmed the allegation following the investigation and referred to the tribunal the former Premier, who also served as Tourism Minister in Hammadi Jbali’s cabinet from December 2011 to March 2013, and in the following Government of Ali Laarayedh as Finance Minister.