The court jails a former head of the tobacco agency for 18 years in absentia for embezzlement

The Criminal Chamber of the Tunisian Primary Court in absentia imprisoned former director general of the National Tobacco and Fuel Agency, Rafik Abbas, for 18 years. The court ordered the former official to repay a financial sum exceeding 90 thousand dinars for the benefit of the public institution and his denial of public office.

The facts of the case relate to the smuggling of large quantities of cigarettes prepared for promotion and resale outside official distribution channels, supply and trafficking files. These operations have caused financial losses in excess of 170,000 dinars to the public enterprise.

The court charged the former official under sections 96, 99 and 32 of the Criminal Journal with exploiting a public servant's position to harm the administration, obtaining an unfair advantage for himself or others and seizing transferred funds, while the defence did not comment.

Abbas held the plan of Chief Director General of the National Tobacco and Fuel Agency before being relieved of his duties by a decision issued in the official major in 2023. The accused previously held administrative positions including chairman of the Council of Ministers of Industry, Small and Medium Enterprises in 2018 and worked as a central financial interests coordinator and then chief executive officer of the National Alcohol Agency.