According to The Observerthe verdict in the Batiplus affair, which hit the headlines in 2020, has been announced. The Criminal Court sentenced Rachelle Sleylati, André Sleylati and Robih Kfouri to three years in prison for various offenses, including breach of trust, forgery and use of forgery in private commercial writing, and money laundering. In addition, they will have to jointly pay three billion FCFA in damages to the Batiplus company, owned by the Farès family.
In March 2020, Rachelle Sleylati, former cashier and accountant of Batiplus, was arrested and placed under arrest following a complaint filed by Christian Chabel Samra, then general director of the company. The latter accused him of having embezzled more than 2.8 billion FCFA. The investigation carried out by the Colobane gendarmerie research section highlighted a suspicious lifestyle, marked by the acquisition of movable property, real estate investments and the creation of companies.
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According to information relayed by The Observerthese elements had led the late magistrate Samba Sall, then investigating judge at the first cabinet, to seize the property and actions of the people involved. Two buildings of the Sleylati family had thus been placed under protective mortgage: a plot of land of 309 m² located in Ngor Almadies and another built plot of 281 m² at Point E, belonging to Rachelle Sleylati’s mother.
Rachelle Sleylati was found guilty of breach of trust, forgery and use of forgery in private commercial writing, as well as money laundering. André Sleylati and Robih Kfouri were convicted of money laundering. They will each have to serve a three-year prison sentence and collectively pay the sum of three billion FCFA in compensation for the damage suffered by Batiplus.
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The Observer recalls that this case also targeted Christian Chabel Samra, the author of the complaint, as well as other relatives of Rachelle Sleylati. A judicial investigation had been opened for criminal conspiracy, forgery and use of forgery, breach of trust, money laundering and complicity. The judicial delegation also allowed the bank accounts of the accused to be seized to secure the embezzled funds.
This outcome puts an end to a scandal which will have marked the business world in Senegal. However, the legal and financial consequences of this affair will continue to weigh on the protagonists and their families.
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