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    June 20, 2011

Tunisia Begins Trial Against Former President

   VOA News
   Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali (file photo)
   Photo: Reuters
   Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali (file photo)

   Tunisia began a trial in absentia Monday of former president Zine
   el-Abidine Ben Ali, who is facing charges including conspiring against
   the state, voluntary manslaughter and drug trafficking.
   Ben Ali and his entourage are facing more than 90 cases. Officials say
   he will be tried in a military and a civilian court. He has denied all
   charges against him, and said he never had the huge sums of money he is
   alleged to have possessed.
   Ben Ali is in Saudi Arabia, after fleeing from Tunisia in January amid
   mass protests against his 23-year rule. Saudi officials have not
   responded to Tunisian requests to extradite him and his wife, Leila
   Trabelsi.
   Many Tunisians say they believe the former president and his family
   improperly amassed large fortunes. Protesters looted and set fire to
   dozens of the family's businesses and luxurious villas during the
   January uprising.

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