Tunisia Ousted president Ben Ali sentenced to over 25 years in prison

Tunisia Ousted president Ben Ali sentenced to over 25 years in prison

2011-07-05 22:49:56 GMT+7 (ICT)

TUNIS, TUNISIA (BNO NEWS) -- A Tunis court on Monday sentenced ousted President Zine el Abidine Ben Ali to over 15 years in prison due to drugs and weapons charges, the state-run TAP news agency reported on Tuesday.

The Tunis Court of First Instance sentenced Ben Ali in absentia to 15 and a half years; ten years for possession of drugs, five years for possession firearms and 6 months for stolen archaeological artifacts.

On June 20, Ben Ali and his wife, Leila Ben Ali, were sentenced in absentia to 35 years in prison for misuse of public funds and property. The couple was also ordered to pay fines that amount up to $65.6 million.

Ben Ali, who is currently in Saudi Arabia, has no intention to return to Tunisia in order to face the accusations against him. He labeled the 35-year prison term imposed on him as a "joke."

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.

The former Tunisian leader was charged along, 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 on May 5.

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.

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