Pakistani-French fashion designer Mehmood Bhatti was sentenced in Paris on Wednesday for tax fraud.

The conviction marks a significant legal blow to the designer's professional standing and financial assets within the European fashion industry.

The court handed Bhatti a two-year suspended prison term [1]. In addition to the suspended sentence, the designer must pay a fine of €150,000 [1].

The ruling also imposes a 10-year ban on Bhatti managing any company [1]. This restriction prevents him from holding executive leadership roles in the business sector for a decade.

As part of the sentencing, French authorities ordered the confiscation of luxury goods. The court ordered the seizure of three watches [1] and three Jaguars [1].

Reports on the specific charges vary by source. Le Monde said the conviction was for tax fraud [1]. However, Samaa said that Bhatti pleaded guilty to both tax fraud and money laundering [2].

“Mehmood Bhatti was sentenced in Paris on Wednesday for tax fraud.”

The severity of the financial penalties and the decade-long management ban suggest that French authorities are taking a hard line against tax evasion within the luxury sector. While the prison term is suspended, the seizure of high-value assets and the restriction on corporate leadership may permanently hinder Bhatti's ability to operate a fashion house in France.