Tunis: President Kaïs Saïed announced a renewed effort to offer criminal reconciliation agreements to individuals involved in corruption cases. This initiative, aimed at recovering misappropriated public funds, was revealed during a meeting at Carthage Palace with Ali Abbess, who leads the National Commission for Criminal Reconciliation. According to Agence Tunis Afrique Presse, President Saïed emphasized that these agreements would be reviewed by the National Security Council. He clarified that the initiative is not intended as an act of revenge but rather focuses on reclaiming funds diverted from the Tunisian populace to benefit public interests. The President explained that participants in the reconciliation process might be released from prison or permitted to return from abroad. He stressed the importance of concluding these agreements swiftly, without allowing negotiations or delay tactics. President Saïed recalled that the concept of criminal reconciliation was first introduced in 2012. Despite vari ous attempts to reclaim stolen assets, he noted that commissions formed after July 25, 2021, did not produce significant outcomes, leading to the dissolution of the latest body in September 2024. He further stated that individuals deeply involved in corruption would be obligated to invest in Tunisia's poorest areas. The President urged the National Commission for Criminal Reconciliation to expedite the creation of draft agreements and mentioned plans to reconstitute the commission under amended laws to streamline the process.