Tunisia to investigate HSBC money laundering suspects

Tunisia announced yesterday that it would investigate suspects involved in money laundering and opening secret bank accounts at the Swiss private banking arm of HSBC.

In remarks to the Anadolu Agency, a spokesman for Tunisia public prosecutor Sufian Al-Sulaiti said on Monday that “the public prosecution authorised the opening of a judicial inquiry against those suspected of involvement in money laundering cases and/or taking advantage of the facilities delegated to them by their jobs or social activities.”

Al-Sulaiti explained that “the judicial investigation comes following an article published in the French Le Monde newspaper and reported by Tunisian media in the Suisse Lex scandal which claims that 256 Tunisians have secret bank accounts with HSBC in Switzerland.”

“The suspects will be investigated according to Law No. 75 of 2003 on the support of international efforts to combat terrorism and prevent money laundering,” he added.

Money laundering is a crime under Tunisian Law, those found guilt may be jailed for up to six years and received fines of up to $25,000.

An investigation by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists about illegal practices at HSBC Private Bank in Switzerland revealed that Tunisian businessmen were involved in opening secret bank accounts and smuggling money.

According to a leaked list nearly 256 Tunisians opened a total of 679 secret bank accounts holding almost $554 million, Le Monde reported.