Tunisia – Suspicions of money laundering through foreign association: 6 individuals detained

Tunisian justice has imprisoned six people, including two foreigners and an auditor, suspected of money laundering and banking violations via the activities of a foreign association working in the field of humanitarian aid in a Maghreb country. This incident was triggered following the detention of four people, including a foreigner, in possession of a sum of money whose origin could not be justified.

Unsupervised Operations

During their interrogation by the economic and financial investigations division in El Gorjani, the suspects reported that they worked for a foreign “development association”, based in Tunisia, and were implicated in “humanitarian aid” in a North African country. Investigations disclosed that those responsible for the association sent money to this North African country using intermediaries during their travels, without employing bank or postal transfers and without resorting to recognized humanitarian organizations.

This affair raises questions about the financing and operating methods of foreign associations on Tunisian soil.