Tunisian Human Rights League condemns sentences against Sihem Bensedrine and Khaled Krichi
via Business News2 min read
The Tunisian Human Rights League LTDH has strongly condemned the sentences handed down to Sihem Bensedrine, former president of the Truth and Dignity Commission IVD, and Khaled Krichi, a former member of the commission. The LTDH views these sentences as an attack on transitional justice and human rights defenders. In a statement released on Friday, the League described the judgments as "unjust," referring to the 25-year prison sentence for Sihem Bensedrine and the 10-year sentence for Khaled Krichi. The LTDH stated that these convictions represent a direct attack on figures of transitional justice and are part of an attempt to silence independent voices involved in human rights defense. The organization affirmed that "truth will not be imprisoned and transitional justice will not be buried." These reactions follow the verdict from the criminal chamber specializing in financial corruption cases at the Tunis Court of First Instance. The court sentenced Sihem Bensedrine to a total of 25 years in prison across two separate cases concerning the management of the Truth and Dignity Commission and the Franco-Tunisian Bank BFT file. She was also accused of forgery, use of forged documents, and possession of falsified documents, which resulted in an additional fifteen-year sentence. Khaled Krichi received two five-year prison sentences, totaling ten years, in the two cases examined. The cases also involved former Minister of State Domains Mabrouk Korchid, businessman Slim Chiboub, and
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Sihem Bensedrine, former President of the Truth and Dignity Instance IVD, has been sentenced to a total of 25 years in prison by the criminal chamber specializing in financial corruption cases at the Tunis Court of First Instance. Bensedrine reacted to the verdict on Facebook with an ironic message, stating, "Sentenced to 25 years in prison. Everything in excess loses its value." The conviction stems from two separate cases. The first involves alleged irregularities during the IVD's work, particularly concerning an arbitration and reconciliation agreement with businessman Slim Chiboub. In this case, Bensedrine, former IVD member Khaled Krichi, and former Minister of State Domains Mabrouk Korchid were found guilty of abusing their positions to harm the administration for the benefit of a third party. Bensedrine and Krichi received five-year sentences, while Korchid received six years, all with immediate execution. Slim Chiboub was sentenced to five years for complicity. The second case relates to the Franco-Tunisian Bank BFT dossier, where Bensedrine, Krichi, Korchid, and Abdelmajid Bouden were also found guilty of abuse of function and regulatory violations. Bensedrine and Krichi received five years, and Korchid and Bouden six years, with immediate execution for the latter two. Additionally, Bensedrine was found guilty of forgery, use of forged documents, and possession of falsified documents, which resulted in an additional fifteen-year sentence, bringing her total to 25 yea