Ben Ali's trial in absentia begins in Tunisia

Many in Tunisia believe Ben Ali fled with large sums of money and gold

The trial in absentia of former Tunisian president, Zine Al-Abidine Ben Ali, is due to begin on Monday 20th June.

Ben Ali faces up to 20 years in prison in this first of many legal cases against him, if convicted on charges including corruption and drug trafficking.

After ruling Tunisia for 23 years, Ben Ali fled to Saudi Arabia on 14 January, 2011 after weeks of protests against his rule. The protests, now called the Jasmine Revolution, set off a wave of protests across the Arab world.

Some 2kg of drugs and US$27 million in cash were allegedly discovered in raids of Ben Ali's palaces after he left, and this will be the focus of the first trial.

He is also being investigation on suspicion of abuse of power, trafficking of archaeological artefacts, money laundering and murder.

Ben Ali's Beirut-based lawyers released a statement on Sunday 19th June condemning the trial.

“He [Ben Ali] would like everyone to know this criminal prosecution is only a false and shameful image of victor's justice,” the statement said.

“Is the purpose behind that [trial] to divert the attention of Tunisians from the turmoil that nobody can accuse him of or hold him responsible for?”

The caretaker government has requested Ben Ali's extradition from Saudi Arabia to stand trial over corruption charges and his involvement in the deaths of protestors during the uprising, but Saudi Arabia has not yet responded.

It is widely believed in Tunisia that Ben Ali, his wife Leila Trabelsi and their family accumulated vast fortunes through their political and economic power during Ben Ali's rule.

More than 30 members of Ben Ali and Trabelsi's families have been arrested since January and some have since been charged with economic crimes and abuse of power.

Ben Ali and his family built up huge stakes in a number of Tunisian companies and industries; the Tunisian interim government has vowed to recover these assets and return them to the state.

The Ben Ali trial will be closely watched in neighbouring Egypt, whose own former ruler Hosni Mubarak is facing similar charges of corruption and the murder of protestors.

Sources: BBC, Guardian, RTT News

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