Businessman Habib Haouas sentenced to 22 years in prison despite reconciliation agreement
via Business News2 min read
Businessman Habib Haouas was sentenced to 22 years in prison on June 30, 2026, for charges including alleged organized money laundering, abusive exploitation of social activity mechanisms, and property damage. Other defendants in the case received 24-year sentences from the Tunis Court of First Instance. This sentencing occurred despite a definitive reconciliation agreement, valued at approximately 12 million dinars, reached between Haouas and the Directorate General of Customs on June 22, 2026. Haouas's lawyers had informed the court of this agreement and requested time to provide official documentation. Haouas had been engaged in a penal reconciliation process with customs for several months, covering financial adjustments and penalties. The case dates back several years, with an arrest warrant issued against Haouas on November 17, 2023. Haouas has reportedly resided abroad since at least 2017. He is known for having led SOREAL Tunisie, a company founded in 1997 specializing in metal refining, grinding, recycling, and transformation.
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