Tunisia's former president sentenced to 35 years in jail

A TUNISIAN court last night 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 after just one day of deliberation, the judge also ruled the couple must pay fines totalling 91 million Tunisian dinars (about 40 million). He said the verdict on charges relating to illegal possession of drugs and weapons would be pronounced on 30 June.

Ben Ali yesterday claimed he was tricked into leaving Tunisia six months ago - he fled to Saudi Arabia on 14 January, after mass protests against 23 years of rule.

Tunisia's revolt electrified millions of people across the Arab world who suffer similarly from high unemployment, rising prices and repressive governments.

In a statement issued by his lawyers, Ben Ali, 74, gave his first detailed account of the events leading to his departure.

The statement said the head of presidential security had gone to Ben Ali in his office and told him "friendly" foreign intelligence services had passed on information about a plot to assassinate the president.

He was persuaded to get on a plane taking his wife and children to safety in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, but with the intention of returning immediately, the statement said. The plane returned to Tunisia without waiting for him, contrary to his orders.