The Tunis Court of Appeal has issued arrest warrants on corruption charges for several individuals, including a former MP and the ex-CEO of the state utility Gafsa Phosphate, Jurist News reported on July 14, citing TAP.
The arrests of former MP Lotfi Ali and the ex-CEO of Gafsa Romdhane Souid are linked to a phosphate extraction and transport contract between Souid, Ali, and three other defendants, including ex-industry minister Slim Feriani, Lotfi’s brother Mouldi Ali, and Abdelwaheb Hfaïedh.
Phosphate mining for fertilizer production accounts for 4% of Tunisia’s GDP and 15% of total exports. The industry has been plagued by scandals, however, and the latest arrests are part of President Kais Saied’s ongoing efforts to clean up the sector and address broader corruption issues.
In August 2021, a Tunisian judge imposed a travel ban on twelve government officials suspected of corruption linked to the phosphate industry. These officials, including former ministers and lawmakers, were arrested and formally charged with corruption crimes.