Tunisian ousted President Ben Ali accused of plotting against national security

Tunisian ousted President Ben Ali accused of plotting against national security

2011-05-05 23:01:44 GMT+7 (ICT)

TUNIS, TUNISIA (BNO NEWS) -- A Tunisian Court on Thursday accused ousted President Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali of further charges of plotting against national security and inciting violence.

According to the state-run TAP news agency, the cases of Ben Ali, his wife Leila Ben Ali, his nephew Kais Ben Ali and other defendants were referred to the Pre-trial Chamber under the Court of Appeal of Sousse.

They are accused over the incidents of Ouardanin that caused the death of 4 people and injured many others between January 15 and 16. Previously, 14 security officers were charged for their involvement in the Ouardanin affair.

Ben Ali and his wife were charged with plotting against internal security, inciting people to engaging in armed violence against each others or causing disorder, murder and looting in the Tunisian territory.

In April 14, the Tunisian Justice Ministry charged the ousted leader with 18 charges including conspiring against the State and voluntary manslaughter. Authorities also issued a request to Interpol to freeze the assets of the former president and his family.

In January, former President Ben Ali was ousted after weeks of violent protests over economic issues. The interim leadership announced the formation of new government of national unity that included members of the opposition.

The Tunisian caretaker government, led by Interim President Foued Mebazaa, has been dismantling all ties with the previous government of Ben Ali. Recently, the former ruling Democratic Constitutional Rally Party (RCD) and the State Security Division were dissolved.

The United Nations estimated that approximately 219 people were killed during the Tunisian mass unrest that began in mid-December. Most of them died after security forces were ordered to fire at them.

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