On suspicion of monopoly and speculation with subsidized foodstuffs and suspicion of money laundering, according to local media
Tunisian justice on Thursday ordered the detention in police custody of the president of the National Chamber of Bakery Owners, Mohamed Bouanane, on suspicion of “monopoly and speculation with subsidized foodstuffs and suspicions of money laundering “.
The local private radio “Mosaic FM” indicated that the public prosecutor at the Court of First Instance of Tunis ordered the placement in police custody of Mohamed Bouanane, president of the National Chamber of Bakery Owners, affiliated with the Tunisian Union of Industry, Trade and Crafts (Utica, Tunisian employers).
“In addition to Mohamed Bouanane, it was also decided to place in police custody the owner of a bakery as well as a flour miller (without disclosing their identities), for suspicion of monopoly and speculation with subsidized foodstuffs and suspicions money laundering”, adds the same source.
The private radio did not give details about the arrest of the suspects or the length of their detention, while for the time being the authorities have not issued any comment on this subject.
Bouanane had recently told Anadolu about the bread shortage, that “the problem was solved once and for all and the bread was available again”.
“This week, we produced subsidized bread, and the others (modern bakeries, editor’s note) were at a standstill. Thanks to our work, the long queues have diminished,” he added.
He had also reversed what was relayed on the existence of a flour monopoly, assuring: “There is no monopoly or speculation; if they give us flour, we will produce bread”.
“The state wants subsidized bread to be provided to citizens,” insisted Bouanane.
Tunisians are enduring a bread crisis that has been raging for weeks, according to local media and social media posts.
On July 27, Tunisian President Kaïs Saïed called on the former government led by Najla Bouden to take “urgent measures” to end the bread crisis, accusing lobbies of being responsible for the shortage of this staple food. .
A few days later, Saïed dismissed Bouden and appointed Ahmed Hachani as head of government, without explaining the reasons for this dismissal.
