Kais Saied reveals corruption of the Muslim Brotherhood in financial and banking institutions… Details
In response to the popular demands raised by Tunisians on July 25, 2021, calling for the overthrow of the rule of the Muslim Brotherhood, Tunisian President Kais Saied raised the file of foreign financing for associations, the spread of corruption in financial and banking institutions, and the obstacles facing the judicial reconciliation project in a meeting with Minister of Justice Leila Jaffel.
Saied affirmed that one organization received foreign funding amounting to 7615 million dinars (2.5 million dollars) from 2016 to 2023 in the name of civil society, confirming numerous irregularities in the associations’ file, posing a threat to national sovereignty.
Over the past decade, foreign funding for associations and parties played a role in undermining and subjecting Tunisian political life to external influences, ultimately harming Tunisian interests and the independence of national decision-making.
He said, “It is not about restricting associations or civil society, but they were an extension of parties and foreign intelligence, and they violated the state. It is necessary to put an end to this situation, and the judiciary must play its role in the country.”
He emphasized, “We cannot cleanse the country with such institutions, leaving these criminals tampering with the resources of the Tunisian people,” referring to some associations supported from abroad.
During the meeting, Saied revealed, “In December 2010, the Tunisian people demanded work, freedom, and national dignity, and afterwards, a series of institutions and ministries were established to tamper with the people’s resources.” He continued, “Among these institutions was what was called the Dignity Holding of Seized Properties, which seized the spirit of dignity and trampled upon it.”
The president listed corruption cases within the institution, stating, “Let the Tunisian people know the extent of corruption in this institution… One of those who headed it to achieve the alleged dignity had five official cars, in addition to the fuel allocated to them, totaling 1500 liters per month.”
He continued, “One of the contracted judges with the institution, who was appointed, received 462 thousand dinars annually, 150 thousand dollars.”
He added, “The one who headed the dignity received 155 thousand dinars and 910 in one year, i.e., 50 thousand dollars, and one of them received 97 thousand and 669 dinars, 30 thousand dollars, and the salaries were no less than 100 thousand dinars, 35 thousand dollars.” Saied questioned, “Is all this money for achieving dignity? It is the money of the Tunisian people, and a judicial investigation has been opened in this regard.”
Tunisia witnessed a surge in the establishment of associations since 2011, from 9 thousand associations to more than 23 thousand associations in the last two years, according to statistics published by the Center for Media, Training, Studies, and Documentation on Associations, most of which have right-wing orientations. There are also about 15 thousand associations whose sources of funding are difficult to verify.
The number of foreign associations active in Tunisia reached 200 associations, including 155 associations based in the Tunis governorate, and 14 associations in the Ariana governorate. The remaining foreign associations are distributed in other governorates.
Last November, the Tunisian judiciary dissolved several parties and associations on suspicion of foreign financing, in cases related to financial transparency and funding sources.
In 2018, the European Union blacklisted Tunisia as a high-risk country for money laundering and terrorist financing due to deficiencies in its legislation.
