Mr Ben Ali and his wife Leila Trabelsi

TUNISIA: BEN ALI MAY FACE UP TO 20 YEARS OR THE DEATH PENALTY

June 14, 2011: Tunisia’s ousted president Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali could face 20 years in jail if convicted of drugs, weapons and cash charges and possibly the death penalty for murder and torture, the justice ministry said.
The country’s interim leader Beji Caid Essebsi said that Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali and his wife Leila Trabelsi will be tried in absentia in the case beginning June 20.
The couple fled to Saudi Arabia after a popular uprising forced Ben Ali’s downfall on January 14 after 23 years of rule.
They are accused of withholding public funds and theft following the discovery of $27mn in cash and jewels in their palace in the Tunis suburb of Sidi Bou Said.
Ben Ali himself has also been charged over the discovery of drugs and weapons at the presidential palace in Carthage.
If convicted he could receive between five and 20 years in jail, justice ministry spokesman Kadhem Zine al-Abidine said.
The former ruler is currently facing a potential 93 charges. Authorities have said they are looking into allegations of murder and torture—crimes punishable by the death penalty.
They are also looking into cases of money laundering and the trafficking of archaeological artifacts.
Essebsi told Al Jazeera that Saudi authorities had not responded to Tunisian requests to hand over Ben Ali. (Sources: AFP, 14/06/2011)