25 Years in Prison for Sihem Bensedrine: The Court Issues Heavy Verdicts in the “Truth and Dignity Commission” and “BFT” Cases

Tunis – TunisiaONE | June 26, 2026

Following a marathon session that concluded late Thursday, the Criminal Chamber specialized in financial corruption at the Tunis Court of First Instance issued what have been described as “historic” and “harsh” verdicts. These rulings do not target Sihem Bensedrine alone, but also involve prominent figures in the Tunisian political and judicial landscape, in cases that have remained legal and financial puzzles for years.

The Truth and Dignity Commission (TDC) Case: Arbitration and Corruption

In this file, TDC the court addressed the management of arbitration and reconciliation agreements concluded with Slim Chiboub. The primary charge upheld by the court was a public official’s exploitation of their position to obtain illegal benefits, causing deliberate damage to the administration.

• Defendants: Sihem Bensedrine (5 years), Khaled Krichi (5 years), Mabrouk Korchid (6 years), and Mohamed Slim Chiboub (5 years).
• Joint Liability: Beyond prison sentences, the court ruled for “joint restitution,” meaning these defendants are legally required to repay sums totaling 1.7 billion dinars, reflecting the magnitude of the financial irregularities detected.

The Banque Franco-Tunisienne (BFT) Case: Forgery Charges

This second case weighed more heavily on Sihem Bensedrine. Beyond the misuse of office, Bensedrine faced charges of forgery—highly sensitive technical and legal violations under Tunisian penal law.

• Severe Penalty: The court classified the forgery and the use of forged documents as concurrent crimes, which automatically raised the sentencing ceiling, resulting in an additional 15 years in prison.
• Accompanying Rulings: Other sentences for Korchid, Krichi, and Bouden range between 5 and 6 years in prison, accompanied by massive financial fines nearing 17 million dinars.

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Immediate Execution and Next Steps

What intensified the reaction to these rulings was the implementation of “immediate execution.” Under Tunisian law, this means the judgment is enforceable immediately, despite the right to appeal. This reflects the judiciary’s desire to conclude long-standing files. As these are primary rulings, defense teams are expected to pursue appeals and eventually cassation; however, the major hurdle remains the restitution of public funds.

TunisiaONE continues to follow the details of these anticipated appeals and the health and legal status of the defendants. We will provide updates as official reports emerge.