Tunisia's former president Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali waves to supporters after he took the oath at the national assembly in Tunis in this 2009 file photo. Ben Ali, who fled to Saudi Arabia in January, will be tried in absentia on June 20, the country's interim prime minister said on June 13. Zoubeir Souissi/Reuters/FileTunisia's Former President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali And His Wife Sentenced To 35 Years In Prison -- The Telegraph
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 (£40.6 million).
The judge said the verdict on other charges, relating to illegal possession of drugs and weapons, would be pronounced on June 30.
Ben Ali, who is in exile in Saudi Arabia, is being tried in absentia at the Tunis criminal court.
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My Comment: He is not coming back to Tunisia.