The criminal chamber specializing in financial corruption cases at the Tunis Court of First Instance sentenced businessman and former presidential candidate Yassine Chennoufi to five years in prison on Monday.

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The ruling, issued in a case involving financial corruption, smuggling, and endangering national security, followed his previous involvement in a foiled plot to incite chaos in the country in October 2022.

Tunisian authorities revealed that the plot was led by the son of Rached Ghannouchi, head of the Ennahda Islamist movement, in coordination with Yassine Chennoufi and his brother.

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Who is Yassine Chennoufi?

Yassine Chennoufi is a well-known Tunisian businessman who ran in the 2014 presidential elections. He was previously arrested along with nine other prominent businessmen on charges related to financial corruption, smuggling, and threatening state security.

In May 2020, a Tunisian court sentenced him to five years in prison for corruption and money laundering, along with a fine of 9 million Tunisian dinars (around 3 million US dollars).

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In October 2022, the authorities announced that they had foiled a plan to stir unrest in the country, involving Chennoufi, the son of Rached Ghannouchi, and the latter’s brother.

Chennoufi was arrested as part of a group of prominent businessmen accused of corruption, smuggling, and jeopardizing national security.

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