Former Tunisian President Ben Ali sentenced to 35 years in prison

Former Tunisian President Ben Ali sentenced to 35 years in prison

2011-06-21 07:54:44 GMT+7 (ICT)

TUNIS (BNO NEWS) -- A Tunisian Court on Monday sentenced former President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali to 35 years in prison for misuse of public funds and property, the state-run TAP news agency reported.

Ben Ali was sentenced in absentia as well as his wife, Leila Trabelsi, by the Court of First Instance of Tunis. Trabelsi was also sentenced to 35 years of imprisonment for the same charges.

In addition, the Tunis Court ordered them to pay fines that amount to $65.6 million. The trial session on the drug possession, theft and weapons charges was postponed until June 30 in order to give time to defense lawyers to prepare the case.

The pending accusations stem from the discovery of drugs, weapons and archeological objects in Sidi Dhrif Palace after Ben Ali was ousted as president following anti-government protests.

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

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.

On 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.

On May 5, a court charged Ben Ali, his wife Leila Ben Ali, his nephew Kais Ben Ali 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.

Ben Ali currently remains in Saudi Arabia and has rejected the conviction as a 'joke.'

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