A Tunisian court on 20 June 2011 sentenced former president Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali in absentia to 35 years in jail, six months after his overthrow in a revolution that inspired the Arab Spring. Ali, who fled to Saudi Arabia after being forced out of power, was found guilty after just one day of deliberation of theft, illegally possessing jewellery and large sums of cash.
The same sentence was handed down to his wife Leila Trabelsi, a former hairdresser whose lavish lifestyle were symbols of the corruption of the Ben Ali era for many Tunisians.
Ali and his wife flew to Saudi Arabia on 14 January 2011 after mass protests against his 23-year rule.
During his time in office, members of his extended family accumulated fortunes while his security forces arrested anyone who dared to dissent. Tunisia’s revolt moved millions across the Arab world who suffer similarly from high unemployment, rising prices and repressive governments. Ali’s case was watched in Egypt, where former president Hosni Mubarak is due to stand trial over the killing of protesters.
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