The penalty dropped and it was fast.Former Tunisian President Zine Ben Ali and his wife, tried in absentia on Monday in Tunis, were each sentenced to 35 years in prison and a fine of 91 million dinars (46 million) for theft and illegal possession foreign currency and jewelry, hours after the opening of their trial.
"They have not stopped flying for 23 years"
The former head of state, who recently reported having been forced to leave "by stealth", and his wife Leila Trabelsi, refugees in Saudi Arabia, were also charged with illegal possession of drugs, arms and archaeological objects.For these three counts, the verdict will be made June 30, said the judge.
Ben Ali, aged 74, denies the charges against him.The judge said Touhami Hafiana at this first hearing how the investigators had discovered in the private residence of Ben Ali and the Presidential Palace 1.8 kilograms of drugs and 43 million dinars (22 million) in cash.The prosecutor asked "the most severe penalties for those who have betrayed the trust and stole the people's money for personal gain.""They have not stopped flying for 23 years," he said.
"They have not stopped flying for 23 years"
The former head of state, who recently reported having been forced to leave "by stealth", and his wife Leila Trabelsi, refugees in Saudi Arabia, were also charged with illegal possession of drugs, arms and archaeological objects.For these three counts, the verdict will be made June 30, said the judge.
Ben Ali, aged 74, denies the charges against him.The judge said Touhami Hafiana at this first hearing how the investigators had discovered in the private residence of Ben Ali and the Presidential Palace 1.8 kilograms of drugs and 43 million dinars (22 million) in cash.The prosecutor asked "the most severe penalties for those who have betrayed the trust and stole the people's money for personal gain.""They have not stopped flying for 23 years," he said.
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