Two business leaders have been convicted in Paris in connection with the "Dubai papers", revelations about a vast system of tax evasion. The sentence is a nine-month suspended prison sentence and a fine of 80,000 euros for laundering tax evasion.

A first conviction in France obtained within the framework of the “Dubai papers”. During a hearing on Tuesday, the National Financial Prosecutor's Office (PNF), which represented the prosecution, indicated that "each year, the group led" by these two entrepreneurs and specialized in the trade in hygiene products taxed "3% of its turnover" via "false invoices" issued "for the benefit" of front companies "of the Hélin group", based in the United Arab Emirates. According to the PNF prosecutor, "in total, 1.5 million euros" was tax exempted via this scheme. The two leaders have thus acknowledged having each recovered approximately 400,000 euros over ten years. During their "appearance on prior admission of guilt", their lawyer, Me Aurélie Chazottes, admitted to the court that they had been "clumsy and stupid" to resort to this fraudulent system, while emphasizing the "fiscal pressure suffered" . The two leaders have in parallel regularized their situation with the tax authorities with slates of approximately 600,000 euros each.