A Tunisian court has sentenced former national anti-corruption chief Chawki Tabib to 10 years in prison after convicting him of forgery-related offences.
Tabib’s lawyer confirmed the judgment on Friday.
Court Convicts Ex-Top Anti-Graft Official
Defence lawyer Samir Dilou said the court delivered the ruling on Thursday.
The court convicted Tabib, 62, of forging documents and using forged documents.
He previously headed Tunisia’s national anti-corruption authority between 2016 and 2020.
Arrest Linked to Complaint After Official Report
Authorities arrested Tabib in April last year following a complaint triggered by a report from the National Anti-Corruption Authority.
The report accused former Prime Minister Elyes Fakhfakh of a conflict of interest during his time in office.
Following the allegations, Fakhfakh removed Tabib from his position.
Tabib rejected the decision and described it as unconstitutional and an abuse of power.
Anti-Graft Body Dissolved After Political Changes
Tunisia dissolved the National Anti-Corruption Authority in 2021 after President Kais Saied expanded executive powers.
Human rights groups later warned that the move weakened democratic institutions and reduced civic freedoms in the country.
Tabib Faces Additional Legal Cases
Tabib has defended several political opponents of President Saied in court over the years.
He currently faces other investigations, including allegations of money laundering and additional violations linked to his time as anti-corruption chief.
