Awni Mutee or Awni Issa (Arabic: عوني مطيع), (born June 2, 1965), is a businessman and criminal mastermind in the international counterfeit cigarette industry.[1] Since the 1990s, he has been known to produce international cigarette brands.[2] Mutee built his business empire through strategic partnerships with influential political figures,[3] which provided him with government protection.[4] He partnered with the third richest man in Libya, they established a factory to produce Cleopatra cigarettes, which were later smuggled into Egypt.[1]
Awni Mutee | |
|---|---|
عوني مطيع | |
.jpg) | |
| Born | June 2, 1965 |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Known for | Worldwide cigarette counterfeiting |
Legal issues and extradition
editIn 2005, Mutee became a fugitive after being wanted by Interpol for crimes in the Netherlands, including organized crime, tax evasion, and money laundering, following a raid on a cigarette factory in Hengelo. He was later acquitted due to insufficient evidence.[1]
In 2018, Awni Mutee became embroiled in a prominent corruption scandal in Jordan, commonly known as the 'tobacco case'.[5] This case implicated numerous high-ranking government officials and over twenty accomplices.[6] Mutee, a businessman with significant connections, faced serious allegations, including actions that could disrupt the country's economic framework[7] and threaten the fundamental conditions of its economic society.[1] He was also charged with jeopardizing public safety and security, as well as offenses such as tax evasion, bribery, trademark infringement, smuggling, and money laundering.[8] Prosecutors claimed that Mutee exploited Jordan's low-tax, free trade zones to manufacture counterfeit cigarettes for export, which he subsequently smuggled into the local market.[9] It was alleged that he and his associates evaded approximately 539 million dinars (around US$760 million) in taxes and customs duties.[10]
Before authorities could arrest him, Mutee fled Jordan just one day before raids on his four factories.[11] His son, Bashar,[12] also escaped minutes before an arrest warrant was issued. Awni Mutee was later extradited from Turkey to Jordan following a phone call between King Abdullah II and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.[13]
Conviction and sentencing
editOn September 29, 2021, Jordan's State Security Court sentenced Awni Mutee to 22 years in prison for his involvement in the 'tobacco case,'[14] described by local media as the biggest corruption scandal in the Kingdom's history.[15] The court also sentenced his son, Bashar Awni, and the businessman Salameh Al Alamat to 22 years in prison for their roles. The case involved 29 defendants and 25 companies. Mutee's other son, Yousef and the rest of the defendants were sentenced to three and a half years[16] in prison.[1] The court ordered the confiscation of Mutee's extensive assets, including real estates, mansions, over 100 luxury cars, valuable license plate numbers, and jewelry worth millions.[17]
Public image and philanthropy
editAwni Mutee, despite his involvement in criminal activities, was recognized for his philanthropic efforts.[18] He served in an honorary capacity at the International Human Rights Commission[1] and founded several organizations aimed at supporting the underprivileged. Additionally, Mutee held the honorary title of president of the Al Jalil Football Club in Jordan, highlighting his engagement in community initiatives.[19]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f Andrews, Frank. "Fake Cigarette Ring Exposes Jordan's Corruption Woes". OCCRP. Retrieved 2024-09-11.
- ^ Team, Sayari Analyst (2021-09-30). "Vulnerabilities of free trade zones in the Middle East (Part 1: Jordan)". Sayari. Retrieved 2024-10-20.
- ^ "Jordan ex-customs boss among 29 suspects charged with corruption". France 24. 2019-02-07. Retrieved 2024-10-20.
- ^ الأردنية (بترا), وكالة الأنباء. "SCC prosecutor general investigates Awni Mutee". بترا -وكالة الأنباء الأردنية. Retrieved 2024-10-20.
- ^ Younes, Ali. "Jordan, corruption and the fake-brand cigarette scandal". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2024-09-11.
- ^ Team, Sayari Analyst (2020-09-04). "Historic Counterfeit Cigarette Case Highlights Vulnerabilities in Middle East Tobacco Markets". Sayari. Retrieved 2024-10-21.
- ^ "Jordanie: 20 ans de prison pour le principal suspect dans l'affaire de l'"usine de cigarettes"". www.aa.com.tr. Retrieved 2024-10-20.
- ^ Team, Sayari Analyst (2020-09-04). "Historic Counterfeit Cigarette Case Highlights Vulnerabilities in Middle East Tobacco Markets". Sayari. Retrieved 2024-09-11.
- ^ "Three men sentenced to 22 years each in 'Tobacco Case'". Jordan Times. 2022-09-06. Retrieved 2024-10-20.
- ^ "Customs Department foils cigarette smuggling attempt". Jordan Times. 2021-05-20. Retrieved 2024-09-01.
- ^ Al-Mashareq. "Jordan ex-customs boss among 29 suspects charged with corruption". Al-Mashareq. Retrieved 2024-10-20.
- ^ "Main defendant in 'Tobacco Case' sentenced to 20 years prison - Jordan Vista". vista.sahafi.jo. Retrieved 2024-10-20.
- ^ "الحكومة الأردنية تكشف دور تركيا في جلب عوني مطيع إلى الأردن". arabic.cnn.com (in Arabic). 2018-12-18. Retrieved 2024-09-01.
- ^ "Six senior officials arrested in Jordan 'cigarettes scandal' corruption saga". 23 January 2019.
- ^ الأردنية (بترا), وكالة الأنباء. "Royal efforts leads to repatriate fugitive Awni Mutee". بترا -وكالة الأنباء الأردنية. Retrieved 2024-09-01.
- ^ "'Tobacco case' defendants sentenced, Mutee gets 20 years - Jordan News | Latest News from Jordan, MENA". Jordan News | Latest News from Jordan, MENA. 2021-09-29. Retrieved 2024-10-20.
- ^ Al Amir, Khitam. "Jordan: 3 businessmen jailed for 22 years for 2018 'tobacco scandal'". Gulf News. Retrieved 2024-09-01.
- ^ "عوني مطيع رجل الأعمال الأردني، من الجمعيات الخيرية إلى السجن". BBC News عربي (in Arabic). Retrieved 2024-10-10.
- ^ "عوني مطيع رجل الأعمال الأردني، من الجمعيات الخيرية إلى السجن". BBC News عربي (in Arabic). Retrieved 2024-09-02.