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Revealed: West Bank petrol station chain faces $325m claim in PA fuel-smuggling probe

By · Via Middle East Eye · Published by Everything Blog

In short

The investigation against Al-Huda Group stems from a leaked Palestinian Authority audit report commissioned by Finance Minister Estephan Anton Salameh after illicit fuel shipments were intercepted. Regulatory inspectors discovered that seized company delivery records completely failed to correspond with official regulatory files, leading to office raids and document confiscations. While chairman Tarek al-Natsheh remains detained and denies wrongdoing, his brother admitted to arranging alternative fuel shipments to Jericho to counter severe local shortages. The massive financial claim encompasses unpaid duties, back taxes, and estimated penalties that could rise as reviews continue.

Key points

  • The Palestinian Authority is seeking over 1 billion shekels in back taxes, duties, and fi…: The Palestinian Authority is seeking over 1 billion shekels in back taxes, duties, and fines from Al-Huda Group.
  • Defense attorneys argue that authorities are improperly utilizing personal detention to f…: Defense attorneys argue that authorities are improperly utilizing personal detention to force the company to accept unproven financial claims.
  • Smuggled fuel comprises an estimated one-third of all petrol sold across the West Bank de…: Smuggled fuel comprises an estimated one-third of all petrol sold across the West Bank despite state import monopolies.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

A petrol station chain owned by one of the West Bank’s wealthiest businessmen is facing accusations of alleged fuel smuggling, financial misconduct and tax evasion totalling more than 1bn shekels ($325m), according to a leaked report seen by Middle East Eye.

The investigation, which has unfolded against a backdrop of worsening fuel shortages in the occupied Palestinian territory, has led to the arrest and weeks-long detention of Tarek al-Natsheh, the chairman of Al-Huda Group, as well as raids by security forces on his company’s offices and the confiscation of computers and financial records.

Lawyers for Natsheh, who is accused in the report of profiting from smuggling activities, say he denies wrongdoing and stands ready to pay any taxes he may legally owe.

They say the company and Natsheh are cooperating with legal proceedings, but have criticised his detention, commenting that “personal freedom should not be used as a means of pressure to accept figures whose accuracy has not been established”.

MEE sent a detailed list of questions and a request for comment to Malek al-Awri, legal adviser for the defence…

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