Ben Ali and wife 'guilty of theft'
Ex-Tunisian president and his wife were sentenced to 35 years in
prison in a trial for misappropriating public funds.
Last Modified: 20 Jun 2011 19:25
Ben Ali 's lawyers have rejected the charges, saying the trial has 'no
goal but to accuse yesterday's president' [Reuters]

A Tunisian court on Monday sentenced ousted president Zine al-Abidine
Ben Ali and his wife, in absentia, to 35 years in jail each after
finding them guilty of theft and unlawful possession of cash and
jewellery.

Reading out the verdict and sentence in the courtroom after just one
day of deliberation, the judge also ruled Ben Ali and his wife would
have to pay fines totalling 91 million Tunisian dinars ($65.6
million).

The judge said the verdict on other charges, relating to illegal
possession of drugs and weapons, would be pronounced on June 30,
according to a Reuters reporter who was in the courtroom.

Ben Ali fled to Saudi Arabia on January 14 in the face of a popular
uprising against his 23-year rule and is being tried in absentia by a
criminal court over scores of cases against him and his entourage.

Akram Azoury, a Ben Ali lawyer who is based in Beirut, said earlier
that his client "strongly denies all charges they are trying to press
as he never possessed the sums of money they claimed to have found in
his office".

Drugs and weapons

Ben Ali, the first leader toppled in a wave of Arab uprisings, faces
charges related to theft, drugs and weapons, following the reported
discovery of around $27m in jewels and cash plus drugs and weapons at
two palaces outside Tunis.

More serious charges, including plotting against the security of the
state and murder, will be dealt with at future trials.

Monday's session is only the beginning of a long legal process that
may see senior members of Ben Ali's government in the dock over
allegations including murder, torture, money laundering and
trafficking of archaeological artifacts.

Of the 93 charges Ben Ali and his inner circle now face, 35 will be
referred to the military court, Kadhem Zine El Abidine, a justice
ministry spokesman, said.

Five public defenders have been assigned to Ben Ali and his wife,
Leila Trabelsi, who is accused in one of the two cases in Monday's
trial.

Foreign lawyer

Tunisian law prohibits a foreign lawyer from defending a client in
absentia, judicial officials say, meaning a French lawyer, Jean-Yves
Le Borgne, cannot take part in the proceedings.

In the statement released by Le Borgne, Ben Ali "vigorously denies"
accusations against him, claiming most of the weapons found were gifts
from visiting heads of state.

"As for the drugs allegedly found, that is a lie and an ignominy ...
It is absurd and defamatory,'' the statement from the lawyer said. The
trial has "no goal but to accuse yesterday's president".

Ben Ali said in the statement: "I devoted my life to my country and
aspire, at the twilight of my existence, to conserve my honour."

Backed by his powerful party that controlled all sectors, Ben Ali
governed with an iron fist, suppressing dissent and quashing all
freedom of expression.

Saudi Arabia has not responded to an extradition request, and some
Tunisians expressed frustration that Ben Ali would not be present for
his judgement.
Source:
Agencies

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