Former Tunisian agriculture minister held over suspicion of graft

TUNIS, Oct 26 (Reuters) – A former Tunisian agriculture minister And seven completely different ex-officers have been detained on suspicion of corruption, judicial authorities said, The latest transfer in the direction of graft that has hampered financial reform efforts.

Since President Kais Saied dismissed parliament and seized shut to complete administration of the nation in July, in a transfer critics referred to as a coup, he has vowed to root out systemic corruption.

Final week, lawmaker Mehdi Ben Gharbia was detained over suspected tax fraud and money laundering – the fourth parliamentarian to be taken into custody since Saied’s transfer.

A press launch from the Tunis courtroom said the arrest of the eight former officers was associated to suspected graft Inside The acquisition Of package for the agriculture ministry. The identify of The earlier agriculture minister was not immediately launched.

Saied’s intervention in July adopted years of political paralysis and financial stagnation, and has been welcomed by Many people Inside the North African nation.

However critics have labelled it a coup that has undermined democratic positive elements made As a Outcome of the nation’s 2011 revolution, which ended autocratic rule and triggered the Arab Spring.

Reporting by Tarek Amara
Modifying by Mark Heinrich

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